tihrary  of t:he  theological  ^eminarjp 

PRINCETON    •    NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

Mr.  Samuel  Agnew 
of 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


OP  THE 


GENERAL  CONVENTIONS 


OF    THE 


f,t0U$tmt  W^pi$i0p(t^  ^gtty^j'g, 


IN    THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA; 

FROM  THE  YEAR  ir84,  TO  THE  YEAR  1814,  INCLUSIVE. 


ALSO, 


FIRST  APPENBIX, 


CONTAINING 


THE  CONSTITUTION  AND  CANONS. 


AND 


SECOND  APPENDIX, 


CONTAINING 


THREE  PASTORAL  LETTERS- 


PHILADELPHIA: 
FBINTED  A.\D  PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  BIOREK 

NO.  88,   CHKSNUT  STREET. 

1817, 


PREFACE. 

IN  the  ensuing  volume,  there  are  contained  all  (he  Journals 
of  the  General  Conventions  of"  The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,"  from  the  beginning '<jf4tsorga*niza- 
tion  to  the  present  time  :  including  a  space  of  thirty  years. 

The  increasing  difficulty  of  possessing  setts  of  these  documents, 
induced  the  House  of  Bishops,  at  Uie  General  Convention  held  in 
the  nionfli  of  April,  1814,  with  the  approbation  of  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  to  authorize  the  present  publication  by 
the  Subscriber;  as  may  be  seen  on  their  Journal,  page  294  of  this  vo- 
lume. Reference  to  former  transactions  being  occasionallj''  necessary, 
not  only  to  account  for  existing  regulations,  but  for  the  explaining  of 
them;  it  must  be  perceived,  that  there  was  great  occasion  for  the  mea- 
sure adopted.  It  may  be  considered  as  expedient,  were  no  other  object 
in  view,  than  the  preparing  of  materials  which  may  in  future  interest 
the  curiosity  of  the  Members  of  this  Church. 

As  the  first  of  the  Journals  refers  to  certain  proposals,  issued  by 
sundry  Clergymen  and  Laymen,  assembled  in  the  City  of  New 
York,  in  the  month  of  October  of  the  preceding  year ;  and  as  the 
Journal  states  those  Proposals  to  have  been  acted  on,  without  a  re- 
petition of  their  contents  ;  the  Subscriber  finds  himself  called  on  to 
give  the  following  narrative. 

in  pursuance  of  preceding  correspondence,  there  assembled 
some  of  the  Clergy  of  New  York,  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  city  of  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersej^,  in  May,  1784: 
And  there  being  a  few  respectable  Lay  Members  of  the  Church  at- 
tending on  public  business  in  the  same  city,  their  presence  was  de- 
Hred.  The  immediate  object  of  the  meeting,  was  the  revival  of  a 
charitable  corporation,  which  had  existed  before  the  Revolution  ; 
clothed  witli  corporate  powers,  under  the  government  of  each  of  the 
said  three  Provinces.  The  opportunity  was  improved  by  the  Cler- 
gy from  Pennsylvania,  of  communicating  certain  measures  recently 
adopted  in  that  State,  tending  to  the  organizing  of  the  Church 
throughout  the  miion.  The  result  was,  the  inviting  of  a  more 
■general  meeting  in  the  ensuing  October,  at  the  city  of  New  York: 
that  being  the  time  and  place,  wherein,  according  to  the  charter  of 
the  above  mentioned  corporation,  their  next  meeting  should  be 
held.  It  was  accordingl}^  held,  for  the  revival  of  the  corporation : 
And  there  appeared  Depuiie-,  not  only  from  the  said  three  States, 


PREFACE. 

but  also  from  others ;  with  the  view  of  consulting  on  the  existing 
exigency  of  the  Church.  The  greater  number  of  these  Deputies, 
were  not  vested  with  powers  for  the  binding  of  their  constituents  ; 
And  therefore,  although  they  called  themselves  a  Convention,  in  the 
lax  sense  in  which  the  word  had  been  before  used,  yet  they  were 
not  an  organized  body.  They  did  not  consider  themselves  as  such: 
And  theii'  only  act,  was  the  issuing  of  a  recommendation  to  the 
Churches  in  the  several  states,  to  unite  under  a  few  articles  to  be 
considered  as  fundamental.  These  are  the  articles  referred  to,  but 
not  printed  in  the  first  Journal ;  and  therefore  are  now  inserted,  in 
a  Note  to  this  Preface.* 

WM.  WHITE, 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the- 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania. 
*  The  Articles  referred  to  are  as  follow : 
1;  That  there  shall  be  a  general  convention  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  State  s  of  America. 

2.  That  the  Episcopal  Church  in  each  state,  send  deputies  to  the 
convention,  consisting  of  clergy  and  Imty. 

3.  That  associated  congregations,  in  two  or  more  states,  may 
send  deputies  jointly. 

4.  That  the  said  church  shall  maintain  the  doctrines  of  the  Gos- 
pel, as  now  held  by  the  Church  of  England ;  and  shall  adhere  to 
the  liturgy  of  the  said  church,  as  far  as  shall  be  consistent  with  the 
American  revolution,  and  the  constitutions  of  the  respective  states. 

5.  That  in  every  state,  where  there  shall  be  a  Bishop  duly  con 
secrated  and  settled,  he  shall  be  considered  as  a  member  of  the 
convention  ex  officio. 

6.  That  the  clergy  and  laity,  assembled  in  convention,  shall  de- 
liberate in  one  body,  but  shall  vote  separately :  And  the  concur- 
rence of  both  shall  be  necessary  to  give  validity  to  every  measure. 

7.  That  the  first  meeting  of  the  convention  shall  be  at  Philadel- 
phia, the  Tuesday  before  the  feast  of  St.  Michael  next;  to  which  it 
is  hoped  and  earnestly  desired,  that  the  Episcopal  Churches  in  the 
respective  states  will  send  their  clerical  and  lay  deputies ;  duly  in- 
structed and  authorized  to  proceed  on  the  necessary  business,  here- 
in proposed  for  their  deliberation. 


JOURNAL 


OF  A 


(§®S5^IgS3'lPIi(DSS 


OP   THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THE  STATES  OP 


NEW  YORK, 
NEW  JERSEY, 
PENNSYLVANIA, 
DELAWARE, 


MARYLAND, 
VIRGINIA, 

AND 

SOUTH  CAROLINA- 


HELD  IN 


CHRIST  CHURCH,  /,V  THE  CITY  OF  PHILdDELPHM, 


FROM 


♦September  27tb  to  October  Tth,  1785. 


B 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


From  the  State  of  Next>  Tork. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Provost,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Trinity  Church, 

New  York. 
The  Hon.  James  Duane,  Esquire. 

Froyn  the  State  of  New  Jersey* 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  A.  M,  Rector  of  Christ  Church, 

>:ew  Brunswick. 
The  Rev.  Lzall  Ogden,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Sussex. 
Patrick  Dennis,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

The  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Christ  Church 

and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 
The  Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St,  Paul's  Church, 

Philadelphia. 
The  Rev.    Robert   Blackwell,  A.  M.  Assistant  Minister  of 

Christ  Church  and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 
The  Rev.   Joseph  Hutchins,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  James's 

Church,  Lancaster. 
The  Rev.  John  Campbell,  A.  M.  Rector  of  York  and  Hunt- 

ingdon. 
Richard  Peters,  Esquire. 
Jasper  Yates,  Esquire. 
Stephen  Chambers,  Esquire. 
Samuel  Powell,  Esquire. 
Thomas  Hartley,  Esquire. 
Edward  Shippen,  Esquire, 
John  Clark,  Esquire. 
William  Atlee,  Esquire. 
Mr.  Andrew  Doz. 
Mr.  Edward  Duffield- 
Mr.  Joseph  Swift. 
Mr.  Nicholas  Jones. 
Mr.  John  Wood. 


4 

From  the  State  of  Delaware* 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  Rector  of  Emanuel  Church. 

New  Castle. 
The  Hon.  Thomas  Duff,  Esquire. 
James  Sykes,  Esquire. 
Mr.  John  Reece. 
Mr.  Joseph  Tatlovv. 
Mr.  Alexander  Reynolds. 
Mr.  Robert  Clay. 

From  the  State  of  Maryland* 

The  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Principal  of  Washingloii 
College,  and  Rector  of  Cheater  Parish. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Keene,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Dorchester  Parish, 

The  Rev.  William  West,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Balti- 
more Town. 

The  Rev.  John  Andrews,  D.  D.  (late  Rector  of  St.  Thomas's, 
Baltimore,  and  now)  Principal  of  the  Academy  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia. 

The  Rev.  James  Jones  Wilmer,  Rector  of  St.  George's., 
Harford  Count}^. 

Dr.  Thomas  Cradock. 

Mr.  Joseph  Couden. 

From  the  State  of  Virginia. 

The  Rev.  David  Griffith,  Rector  of  Fairfax  Parish. 
John  Page,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Purcell,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.   Michati .-. 

Charleston. 
The  Hon.  Jacob  Read,  Esquire. 
The  Hon.  Charles  Pinckney,  Esquire. 


JOURNAL,  &c. 


Tuesday,  27th  of  September^  1785. 

CLERICAL  and  Lay-Deputies  from  several  of  the  states  as- 
sembled ;  and  judging  it  proper  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  deputi^rs 
from  the  other  states. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  at  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  2Sth  of  September^  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Keene,  by  desire,  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  David  Griffith  was  unanitnously  chosen  Secretary. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  a  President  be  now  chosen  by  bal- 
lot, and  that  each  state  have  one  vote ;  which  being  done,  and  the 
ballots  counted,  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 
was  unanimously  chosen. 

Ordered^  That  the  Deputies  from  the  several  states  produce  the 
testimonials  of  their  appointment ;  which  being  done,  and  the  tes- 
timonials read, 

Resolved^  That  the  testimonials  produced  from  the  church  in 
the  several  states,  viz.  in  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  South  Carolina,  are  satisfactory. 

The  Resolutions  of  a  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  6th  and  7th  days  of 
October,  1784,  were  read. 

Ordtred^  That  the  same  lie  on  the  table. 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock  this  evening. 

Wednesday  Evening,  six  o'*clock, 

.  The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered^  That  the  proceedings  of  a  former  Convention  at  New 
York  be  again  read;  which  being  done,  and  the  diiferent  articles 
considered. 

Resolved^  That  the  first,  second,  and  third  articles  proposed  as 
fundamental  by  the  said  Convention,  are  approved  of. 

The  fourth  article  being  read,  it  was,  on  motion,  Resolvedy  That 
a  Committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  one  Clerical  and  one  Lay- 
Deputy  from  the  Church  in  each  state,  to  consider  of  and  report 
such  alterations  in  the  Liturgy,  as  shall  render  it  consistent  with 
the  American  revolution  and  the  constitutions  of  the  respective 
states:  And  such  further  alterations  in  the  Liturgy,  as  it  may  be 
adviscable  for  this  Convention  to  recommend  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Church  here  represented. 

Resolved^  That  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  of  the  aforesaid  ar- 
ticles proposed  as  fundam'.^ntal  are  approved  of:  the  sixth  article 


being  first  explained  and  understood,  as  meaning  that  the  Depu- 
ties are  to  vote  according  to  the  states  from  which  they  come,  and 
not  individually. 

Resolved^  That  a  Committee,  to  be  composed  as  aforesaid,  pre- 
pare and  report  a  draft  of  an  ecclesiastical  constitution  for  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  accordingly ;  viz.  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Provost  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Duane  for  New  York  ;  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Beach  and  Mr.  Dennis  for  New  Jersey ;  the  Rev,  Dr.  White  and 
Mr.  Peters  for  Pennsylvania;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wharton  and  Mr. 
Sykes  for  Delaware;  the  Rf  v.  Dr.  Smith  and  Dr.  Cradock  for 
Mar}'land;  the  Rev,  Mr.  Griffith  and  Mr.  Page  for  Virginia; 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Read  for  South  Ca- 
rolina. 

Resolved^  That  the  preparing  the  necessary  and  proposed  al- 
terations in  the  Liturgy  be  referred  to  the  same  Committee. 

The  Convention  adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  29th  of  September^  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Magaw  read  prayers. 

Resolved^  That  a  person  be  appointed  to  assist  the  Secretary,  and 
to  officiate  in  his  stead  when  he  shall  be  employed  in  the  business 
of  the  Committee  ;  and  Mr.  Clarke  was  appointed  accordingly. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  for  revis- 
ing and  altering  the  Liturgy,  &c.  reported,  that  the  Committee 
had  made  some  progress  in  the  business  referred  to  them,  but 
not  having  completed  the  same,  desired  leave  to  sit  again  >  which 
being  agreed  to. 

The  Convention  adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  30f/i  of  September^  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  ReVo 
Mr.  Provost  read  prayers. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Committee  for  revising  and  al- 
tering the  Liturgy,  &c.  do  also  prepare  and  report  a  plan  for  obtain- 
ing the  consecration  of  Bishops,  together  with  an  address  to  the 
Most  Reverend  the  Archbishops  and  the  right  Reverend  the  Bi- 
shops of  the  Church  of  England,  for  that  purpose. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  committee  for  revising,  &c.  re- 
ported, that  they  had  made  further  progress  in  the  business  referred 
to  them,  but  not  having  finished  the  same,  desired  leave  to  sit  again, 
which  was  agreed  to. 

The  Convention  adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  1st  of  October,  1785. 

The  Conv^ention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Smith  read  piyyers. 


The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  committee  for  revising,  &c.  re- 
ported, that  they  had  prepared  a  draft  of  the  aherations  to  be  made 
in  the  Liturgy ;  and  that  they  had  also  prepared  a  draft  of  a  gene- 
ral Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  which  he  was  ready  to  report. 

Ordered.  That  the  same  be  now  received ;  which  being  done, 
and  the  report  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  report  lie  on  the  table  for  the  perusal  of 
the  members. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  same  committee,  reported,  that 
they  have  had  under  consideration  the  further  alterations  to  be  pro- 
posed m  the  Liturgy,  and  were  ready  to  report  in  part. 
^    Ordered,  That  the  report  be  now  received  and  read ;  which  be- 
ing done, 

Ordered,  That  the  report  last  read  lie  on  the  table. 

Ordered,  That  so  much  of  the  revised  Liturgv  as  respects  the 
American  revolution  and  the  constitutions  of  the  states  be  again 
read,  and  considered  by  paragraphs ;  which  being  done, 

Ordered  That  the  alterations  in  the  Liturgy  to  be  proposed  to 
the  church  be  again  read,  and  considered  by  paragraphs;  which 
being  done  m  part,  ' 

The  Convention  adjourned  to  six  o'clock-  this  evening. 
Saturday  Evening,  six  d*docL 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment. 
Ordered,  That  the  report  from  the  committee  be  resumed,  and 
beln^'^done''*'''  °^ '^  ""^^^  ^""^  considered  by  paragraphs ;  which 
The  Convention  adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  on  Monday  morning, 
Monday,  Zd  of  October,  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  Rev. 
ilr.  West  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  committee  for  revising   &c  re 
ported    that  they  had  made  further  progress  in  the  businlls  reVer- 
red  to  them,  and  were  ready  to  report. 

rei?rtnf  '  '^^'i  '^7^P°'-^  b^  "«^  received,  and  that  the  same  be 
read   and   considered  by  paragraphs;    which  having   been  done 

The  Convention  adjourned  to  six  o'clock  this  evening. 
Monday  Evening,  six  o'clock. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment. 
...A       u    .     ^^^  ""^P""  °^  *^^  committee  for  revisin;v,  &c.  be 
marf^.:^"^  "'^^  accordingly  done ;  and  the  Con ventio^n  having 
made  further  progress  therein,  ^ 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


8 

Tuesday,  4if// (?/ Ocfo^er,  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment ;  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Ogilen  read  prayers. 

Ordered^  That  clerks  be  employed  to  transcribe,  under  direction 
of  the  chairman  of  the  committee  for  revising,  &c.  all  the  altera- 
tions proposed,  and  other  matters  agreed  on  by  the  Convention. 

Ordered^  That  the  draft  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Constitution  be  read 
and  considered  by  paragraphs,  which  was  done ;  and  the  Conven- 
tion, having  made  some  progress  therein, 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock  this  evening. 

Tuesday  Evening,  six  o* clock. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Ordered.,  That  the  consideration  of  the  general  Ecclesiastical 
Constitution  be  resumed,  and  that  the  same  be  read  and  consi- 
dered by  paragraphs ;  which  being  done,  and  the  blanks  filled  up, 
was  agreed  to,  and  is  as  follows,  viz. 

A  General  Ecclesiastical  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

WHEREAS,  in  the  course  of  Divine  Provid«.^nce,  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  is  be- 
come independent  of  all  foreign  authority,  civil  and  ecclesiasti- 
cal : 

And  whereas,  at  a  meeting  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the 
said  Church  in  sundry  of  the  said  states,  viz.  in  the  states  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, Rhode-Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland,  held  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  on  the  6th  and  7th  daj^s  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1784,  it  was  recommended  to  this  Church  in  the  said  states  repre- 
sented as  aforesaid,  and  proposed  to  this  Church  in  the  states  not 
represented,  that  they  should  Send  Deputies  to  a  Convention  to  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  the  Tuesday  before  the  feast  of 
St.  Michael  in  this  present  year,  in  order  to  unite  jn  a  Constitu- 
tion of  Ecclesiastical  government,  agreeably  to  certain  fundamental 
principles,  expressed  in  the  said  recommendation  and  proposal : 

And  whereas,  in  consequence  of  the  said  recommendation  and 
proposal.  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  have  been  duly  appointed 
from  the  said  Church  in  the  states  of  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia, and  South  Carolina: 

The  said  deputies  being  now  assembled,  and  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  importance  of  maintaining  uniformity  in  doctrine, 
discipline  and  worship  in  the  said  Church,  do  hereby  determine 
and  declare, 

1.  That  there  shall  be  a  general  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  which  shall  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  June,  in 


9 

the  year  of  oiu-  Lord  1780,  and  for  ever  after  once  in  three  years, 
on  the  third  Tuesday  of  June,  in  such  place  as  shall  be  determin- 
ed by  the  Convention  ;  and  special  meetings  may  be  held  at  such 
other  times  and  in  such  place  as  shall  be  hereafter  provided  for; 
and  this  Church,  in  a  majority  of  the  states  aforesaid,  shall  be 
represented  before  they  shall  proceed  to  business  ;  except  that  the 
representation  of  this  Church  from  two  states  shall  be  sufficient  to 
adjourn;  and  in  all  business  of  the  Convention  freedom  of  debate 
shall  be  allowed. 

II.  There  shall  be  a  representation  of  both  Clergy  and  Laity 
of  the  Church  in  each  state,  which  shall  consist  ot  one  or  more 
Deputies,  not  exceeding  four,  of  each  order  ;  and  in  all  questions, 
the  said  Church  in  each  state  shall  have  one  vote  j  and  a  majori- 
ty of  suffrages  shall  be  conclusive. 

IIL  In  the  said  Church  in  every  state  represented  in  this  Con- 
vention, there  shall  be  a  Convention  consisting  of  the  Clergy  and 
Lay  Deputies  of  the  congregation. 

IV.  "The  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  Administration  of 
the  Sacraments,  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church, 
according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England,"  shall  be  con- 
tinued to  be  used  by  this  Church,  as  the  same  is  altered  by  this 
Conventien,  in  a  certain  instrument  of  writing  passed  by  their  aiH 
thority,  entituled  "  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  order  to 
render  the  same  conformable  to  the  American  revolution  and  the 
constitutions  of  the  respective  states." 

V.  In  every  state  where  there  shall  be  a  Bishop  duly  conse- 
crated and  settled,  and  who  shall  have  acceded  to  the  articles  of  this 
General  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  he  shall  be  considered  as  a 
member  of  the  Convention  e'^  officio^ 

VI.  The  Bishop  or  Bishops  in  every  state  shall  be  chosen 
agreeably  to  such  rules  as  shall  be  fixed  by  the  respective  Conven- 
tions ;  and  every  Bishop  of  this  Church  shall  confine  the  exercise 
of  his  Episcopal  office  to  his  proper  jurisdiction  ;  unless  requested 
to  ordain  or  confirm  by  any  church  destitute  of  a  Bishop. 

VII.  A  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  any  of  the  United 
States  not  now  represented,  may  at  any  time  hereafter  be  admit- 
ted, on  acceding  to  the  articles  of  this  union. 

VIII.  Every  Clergyman,  whether  Bishop  or  Presbyter,  or  Dea- 
con, shall  be  amenable  to  the  authority  of  the  Convention  in  the 
state  to  which  he  belongs,  so  far  as  relates  to  suspension  or  re- 
moval from  office  ;  and  the  Convention  in  each  state  shall  institute 
rules  for  their  conduct,  and  an  equitable  mode  of  trial. 

IX.  And  whereas  it  is  represented  to  this  Convention  to  be  the 
desire  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  these  states,  that 
there  may  be  further  alterations  of  the  Liturgy  than  such  as  are 
made  necessary  by  the  American  revolution  ;  therefore  the  "  Book 
of  Common  Prayer,  and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments  and 
other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  according  to  the  use 

C 


iu 

of  the  Church  of  England,"  as  aUered  by  an  instrument  of  ^vnc> 
iHg,  passed  under  the  authority  of  this  Convention,  entituled 
*'  Alterations  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  Adminlstva- 
tion  of  the  Sacraments  and  other  rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the 
Church,  according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  Kngland,  proposed 
and  recommended  to  the  IVotestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,''  shall  be  used  in  this  Church,  when 
the  same  shall  have  been  ratified  by  the  Conventions  which  have 
respectively  sent  Deputies  to  this  General  Convention. 

X.  No  person  shall  be  ordained  or  permitted  to  officiate  as  a 
Minister  in  this  Church,  until  he  shall  have  subscribed  the  fol- 
lowing declaration,  "1  do  believe  the  Holv  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and  to  contain  all 
things  nece^ssary  to  salvation ;  and  I  do  solemnly  engage  to  con^ 
form  to  the  doctrines  and  %vorship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  as  settled  and  determined  in  the  Book  of  Common  Pray-, 
er,  and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments,  set  forth  by  the  General 
Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  ip  these  United 
States." 

XI.  This  general  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  when  ratified  by 
t\\t  Church  in  the  different  stcltes,  shall  be  considered  as  funda- 
mental; and  shall  be  unalterable  bv  the  Convention  of  the  Church 
in  any  state. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  Duane,  from  the  Committee  for  revising,  %ic/ 
reported,  that  they  had,  according  to  order,  prepared  a  plan  for 
obtaining  the  consecration  of  Bishops,  and  a  draft  pf  an  address 
to  the  most  Reverend  the  Archbishops  and  the  Jiight  Reverend 
the  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  were  ready  to  report 
•the  same.  -  •  '  ■  '  ■ 

Ordered.,  That  the  ]>}an  and  draft  now  offered  be  received  ; 
which  btrmg  done,  and  the  same  twice  read  and  considered  by  pa-* 
ragraphs,  was  ordered  to  be  transcribed. 

The  Convention  then  adjournt^d  to  ten  o'clock  to-.morrow  n_iorn- 
ang.        ... 

Wednesday-,  5th  of  October^  178.3;. 
i  ' 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment;  and  the  Hey, 
Mr.  Provost  read  prayers.  ;,. 

Ordered^  That  the  transcribed  copy  of  tlie  "■  Alterations  in  the 
liiturgy,  to  render  it  consistent  with  the  American  revolution  and 
the  Constitutions  of  the  respective  states,"  be  read  and  considered 
by  paragraphs  ;  wliich  being  done. 

Resolved^  That  the  Liturgy  shall  be  used  in  this  Church  as  ac- 
commodated to  the  revolution,  agreeably  to  the  alterations  nov/ 
•jpproved  of  and  ratified  by  this  Convention.* 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  fourth  of  July  shall  be  observ't 
ed  by  this  Church  for  ever,  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving  to  Almigh^ 

*  Neither  these  nor  the  other  alterations  afterwards  proposed,   are  printed  ih;- 
tlie  Journal,  iis  theywUl  appear  in  this  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  now  in  the  presSv 


ii 

tv  God,  for  the  Inestimable  blessings  of  rehglous  and  civil  liberty 
\  ouchsafed  to  the  United  States  of  America. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  first  Tuesday  in  November  in 
every  year  for  ever,  shall  be  observed  by  this  Church  as  a  day  of 
general  tlianksgiving  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
and  for  all  the  other  blessings  of  his  merciful  providence. 

Ordered^  That  a  CQmmittee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  form  of 
prayer  and  thanksgiving  for  the  fourth  ot  July;  and  a  committee 
Was  accordingly  appointed,  viz.  the  Jiev.  Dr.  Smith,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Magaw,  the  Rev.  Dr.  "Wharton,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Campbell. 

Ordered^  That  the  alterations  in  the  Liturgy,  to  be  proposed  to 
this  Church,  be  read  and  considered  by  paragraphs;  and  the  Con- 
vention made  some  progress  therein. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  committee  to  prepare  a  form  of 
prayer  and  thanksgiving  for  the  fourth  of  July,  reported,  that 
they  had  prepared  the  same. 

Ordered^  That  it  now  be  received  and  read. 

Ordered^  That  the  said  report  be  read  and  considered  by  pa- 
ragraphs ;  which  being  done, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  form  of  prayer  be  used  in  this  Churchj 
on  the  fourth  of  July  for  ever. 

Then  the  Convention  adjourned  to  six  o'clock  this  evening. 

Wednesday  Evening,  six  o^clock, 

■  The  Convention  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  the  proposed  alterations  ill 
the  Liturgy  be  resumed. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  again  rejtd  and  considered  by  pa- 
ragraphs ;  which  being  done,  and  the  alterations  agreed  to, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  alterations  be  proposed  and  recom- 
tnended  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  states  from 
which  there  are  Deputies  to  this  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  the  alterations  made  in  the  articles  be  again 
read  ;  which  being  done, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  read  and  considered  by  paragraphs  J 
which  being  done,  and  some  time  spent  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  the  Articles,  as  now  altered,  be  recommended  to 
this  Church,  to  be  by  them  adopted  in  the  next  General  Conven- 
tion. 

Ordered,  That  the  plan  for  obtaining  Consecration,  and  the  ad- 
dress to  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, be  again  read  ;  v/hich  being  done,  the  same  were  agreed 
to,  and  are  as  follow  : 

First.  That  this  Convention  address  the  Archbishops  and  Bi- 
shops of  the  Church  of  England,  requesting  them  to  confer  the 
Episcopal  character  on  such  persons  as  shall  be  chosen  and  recom- 
mended to  them  for  that  purpose,  from  the  Conventions  of  this 
Church  in  the  respective  state?'. 


12 

Secondly^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  said  Conventions, 
tliat  they  elect  persons  for  this  purpose. 

Thirdly^  That  it  be  further  recommended  to  the  different  Con- 
ventions, at  their  next  respective  sessions,  to  appoint  committees 
Avith  powers  to  correspond  with  the  English  Bishops,  for  the  car- 
rying of  these  resolutions  into  effect  j  and  that,  until  such  commit-. 
tees  shall  be  appointed,  they  be  requested  to  direct  any  communi- 
cations which  they  may  be  pleased  to  make  on  this  subject,  to  the 
committee,  consisting  of  the  Reverend  Dr.  White,  president,  the 
Reverend  Dr.  Smidi,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Provost,  the  Honorable 
James  Duane,  esq.  and  Samuel  Powell  and  Richard  Peters,  es- 
quires. 

Fourthly^  That  it  be  further  recommended  to  the  different 
Conventions,  that  they  pa}'^  especial  attention  to  the  making  it  ap- 
pear to  their  Lordships,  that  the  persons  who  shall  be  sent  to 
them  for  consecration  are  desired  in  the  character  of  Bishops,  as 
well  by  the  Laity  as  by  the  Clergy  of  this  Church,  in  the  said 
states  respectively  ;  and  that  they  will  be  received  by  them  in  that 
character  on  their  return. 

Fifthly^  And  in  order  to  assure  their  Lordships  of  the  legality 
of  the  present  proposed  application,  that  the  Deputies  now  as- 
sembled be  desired  to  make  a  respectful  address  to  the  civil  Ru- 
lers of  the  states  in  which  they  respectively  reside,  to  certify  that 
the  said  application  is  not  contrary  to  the  constitutions  and  laws 
of  the  same. 

Sixthhfy  And  whereas  the  Bishops  of  this  Church  will  notlje 
entitled  to  any  of  such  temporal  honors  as  are  due  to  the  Archbi' 
shops  and  Bishops  of  the  parent  Church,  in  quality  of  Lords  of 
Parliament;  and  Avhereas  the  reputation  and  usefulness  of  our  Bi- 
shops M  ill  considerably  depend  on  their  taking  no  higher  titles  or 
stile  than  will  be  due  to  their  spiritual  employments  }  that  it  be 
recommended  to  this  Church  in  the  states  here  represented,  to 
provide,  that  their  respective  Bishops  may  be  called  *'  The  Right 
Rev.  A.  B'  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  C  Z)." 
and  as  Bishop  may  have  no  other  title  ;  and  may  not  use  any  such 
stile  as  is  usually  descriptive  of  temporal  power  and  precedency. 

To  the  Most  Reverend  and  Rjglit  Reverend  the  Archbishops  cf 
Canterbury  and  Tork^  and  the  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. 

WE,  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  sundry  of  the  United  States  of  America,  think 
it  our  duty  to  address  your  Lordships  on  a  subject  deeply  inter- 
esting ;  not  only  to  ourselves  and  those  whom  we  represent,  but, 
as  we  conceive,  to  the  common  cause  of  Christianity. 

Our  forefathers,  when  they  left  the  land  of  their  nativity,  did 
flot  leave  the  bosom  of  that  Church,  over  which  your  Lordships 
now  preside ;  but,  as  well  from  a  veneration  for  Episcopal  Go- 


13 

vernment,  as  from  an  attachment  to  the  admirable  services  of 
our  Liturgy,  continued  in  willing  connection  with  their  Ecclesi- 
astical Superiors  in  England,  and  w^ere  subjected  to  many  local 
inconveniencies,  rather  than  break  the  unity  of  the  Church  to 
which  they  belonged. 

When  it  pleased  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  universe,  that  this 
part  of  the  British  empire  should  be  free,  sovereign  and  indepen- 
dent, it  became  the  most  important  concern  of  the  members  of 
our  communion  to  provide  for  its  continuance  :  And  while  in 
accomplishing  of  this  they  kept  in  view  that  wise  and  liberal  part 
of  the  system  of  the  Church  of  England,  which  excludes  as  well 
the  claiming  as  the  acknowledging  of  such  spiritual  subjection  as 
may  be  inconsistent  with  the  civil  duties  of  her  children ;  it  was 
nevertheless  their  earnest  desire  and  resolution  to  retain  the  vene- 
rable form  of  Episcopal  Government,  handed  down  to  them,  as 
they  conceived,  from  the  time  of  the  Apostles :  and  endeared  to 
them  by  the  remembrance  of  the  holy  Bishops  of  the  primitive 
Church,  of  the  blessed  Martyrs  who  reformed  the  doctrine  and 
worship  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of  the  many  great  and 
pious  Prelates  who  have  adorned  that  Church  in  every  succeed- 
ing age.  But  however  general  the  desire  of  compleating  the  or- 
ders of  our  Ministry,  so  diffused  and  unconnected  were  the  mem- 
bers of  our  communion  over  this  extensive  country,  that  much 
time  and  negociation  were  necessary  for  the  fonning  a  represen- 
tative body  of  the  greater  number  of  the  Episcopalians  in  these 
States ;  and  owing  to  the  same  causes,  it  was  not  until  this  Con- 
vention, that  sufficient  powers  could  be  procured  for  the  addres- 
sing your  Lordships  on  this  subject. 

The  petition  which  we  offer  to  your  Venerable  Body,  is — that 
from  a  tender  regard  to  the  religious  interests  of  thousands  in 
this  rising  empire,  professing  the  same  religious  principles  with 
the  Church  of  England  ;  you  will  be  pleased  to  confer  the  Epis- 
copal character,  on  such  persons  as  shall  be  recommended  by  this 
Church  in  the  several  States  here  represented  :  Full  satisfaction 
i)eing  given  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  persons  recommended,  and 
of  its  being  the  intention  of  the  general  body  of  the  Episcopalians 
in  the  said  States  respectively,  to  receive  them  in  the  quality  of 
Bishops. 

Whether  this  our  request  will  meet  with  insurmountable  im- 
pediments, from  the  political  regulations  of  the  kingdom  in  which 
your  Lordships  fill  such  distinguished  stations,  it  is  not  for  us  to 
foresee  ;  we  have  not  been  ascertained,  that  any  such  will  exist  > 
and  are  humbly  of  opinion,  that  as  citizens  of  these  States,  inter- 
ested in  their  prosperity,  and  religiously  regarding  the  allegiance 
which  we  owe  them,  it  is  to  an  ecclesiastical  source  only,  we  can 
apply  in  the  present  exigency. 

It  may  be  of  consequence  to  observe,  that  in  these  states  there 
is  a  separation  between  the  concerns  of  policy,  and  those  of  reli- 
gion ;  that  accordingly,  our  civil  Rulers  cannot  officially  join  in 


14. 

the  present  application ;  that  however  we  are  tar  from  apprehend" 
ing  the  opposition  or  even  displeasure  of  any  of  those  honorable 
personages;  aiyi  finally,  that  in  this  business  v/e  are  justified  bv 
the  constitutions  of  the  States,  which  are  the  foundations  and 
controul  of  all  our  laws.  On  this  point,  Ave  beg  leave  to  refer  to 
the  enclosed  extracts  from  the  constitutions  of  the  respective 
States  of  which  we  are  citizens,  and  we  flatter  ourselves  that 
they  must  be  satisfactory. 

Thus,  we  have  stated  to  your  Lordships  the  nature  and  the 
grounds  of  our  application ;  v/hich  we  have  thought  it  most  res- 
pectful and  most  suitable  to  the  magnitude  of  the  object,  to  ad- 
dress to  your  Lordships  for  your  deliberation,  before  any  person 
is  sent  over  to  carry  them  into  effect.  Whatever  may  be  the 
event,  no  time  will  efface  the  remembrance  of  the  past  services 
of  your  Lordships  and  your  predecessors.  The  Archbishops  of 
Canterbury  were  not  prevented,  even  by  the  weighty  concerns  oi 
their  high  stations,  from  attending  to  the  interests  of  this  distant 
branch  of  the  Church  under  their  care.  The  Bishops  of  London 
were  our  Diocesans  ;  and  the  uninterrupted  although  voluntary 
submission  of  our  congregations,  will  remain  a  perpetual  proof  of 
their  mild  and  paternal  government.  All  the  Bishops  of  Eng- 
land, with  other  distinguished  characters,  as  well  ecclesiastical 
as  civil,  have  concurred  in  forming  and  carrying  on  the  benevo- 
lent views  of  the  Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  in  foreign 
parts ;  a  society  to  whom,  under  God,  the  prosperity  of  our 
Church  is  in  an  eminent  degree  to  be  ascribed.  It  is  our  earnest 
wish  to  be  permitted  to  make,  through  your  Lordships,  this  just 
acknowledgment  to  that  venerable  society ;  a  tribute  of  gratitude 
which  we  the  rather  take  this  opportunity  of  paying,  as  while 
they  thought  it  necessary  to  withdraw  their  pecuniary  assistance 
from  our  Ministers,  they  have  endeared  their  past  favors  by  a 
benevolent  declaration,  that  it  is  far  from  their  thoughts  to  alie- 
nate their  affection  from  their  brethren  now  under  another  go* 
vernment ;  with  the  pious  wish,  that  their  former  exertions  may 
still  continue  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  they  aimed  at  of  pure  reli- 
gion and  virtue.  Our  hearts  are  penetrated  with  the  most  lively 
gratitude  by  these  generous  sentiments ;  the  long  succession  of 
former  benefits  passes  in  review  before  us ;  we  pray  that  our 
Church  may  be  a  lasting  monument  of  the  usefulness  of  so  wor- 
thy a  body;  and  that  her  sons  may  never  cease  to  be  kindly  affec- 
tioned  to  the  members  of  that  Church,  the  Fathers  of  which  have 
so  tenderly  watched  over  her  infancy. 

For  vour  Lordships  in  particular,  we  most  sincerely  wish  and 
pray,  that  you  may  long  continue  the  ornaments  of  the  Church 
of  England,  and  at  last  receive  the  reward  of  the  righteous  from 
the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  soals. 


15 

We  are,  with  all  the  respect  Avhich  is  due  to  your  exalted  ami 
Venerable  characters  and  stations, 

Your  Lordships 

Most  obedient,  and 
In  Convention^  Most  humble  Servants, 

Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  October  5th,   1785. 

Resolved^  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  publish  the  Book 
ot  Common  Prayer  with  the  alterations,  as  well  those  now  rati- 
Hed  in  order  to  render  the  Liturgy  consistent  with  the  American 
revolution}  and  the  constitutions  of  the  respective  states,  as  the 
alterations  and  new  offices  recommended  to  this  Church  \  and  that 
the  book  be  accompanied  with  a  proper  Preface  or  Address,  set- 
ting forth  the  reason  and  expediency  of  the  alterations ;  and  that 
the  Committee  have  the  liberty  to  make  verbal  and  grammatical 
corrections ;  but  in  such  manner,  as  that  nothing  in  form  or  sub- 
stance be  altered. 

The  Committee  appointed  were  the  Reverend  Dr.  White,  (Pre- 
sident) the  Reverend  Dr.  Smith,  and  the  Reverend  Dr.  Wharton. 

Ordered^  That  the  said  Committee  be  authorised  to  dispose  of 
the  copies  of  the  Common  Prayer  when  printed ;  and  that  after 
defraying  all  expences  incurred  therein,  they  remit  the  nett  profits 
to  the  Treasurers  ot  the  several  Corporations  and  Societies  for  the 
relief  of  the  widows  and  children  of  deceased  Clergymen  in  the 
states  represented  in  this  Convention ;  the  profits  to  be  equally  di- 
vided among  the  said  Societies  and  Corporations. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  Committee  be  authorised  to  publish, 
with  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  such  of  the  reading  and  sing- 
ing psalms,  and  such  a  Kalendar  of  proper  lessons  for  the  differ- 
ent Sundays  and  Holy-days  throughout  the  year,  as  they  mav 
think  proper. 

Resolved^  That  the  same  Committee  be  authorised  to  publish 
the  Journal  of  this  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  the  Journal  and  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Con- 
\  t  ntion  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  President. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  Reverend  Dr.  Wharton,  hav- 
ing preached  a  sermon  last  Sunday  on  the  Duties  of  the  Ministe- 
i-icil  Office,  highly  satisfactory  to  'this  Convention  and  the  whole 
-iudience,  be  requested  to  publish  the  same. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  I'hat  the  Reverend  Dr.  Smith  be  re- 
quested to  prepare  and  preach  a  sermon  suited  to  the  solemn  oc- 
rasion  of  the  present  Convention,  on  Friday  next;  and  that  the 
Service  be  then  read,  as  proposed  for  future  use. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
given  to  the  President,  for  his  able  and  diligent  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  office. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
given  to  the  Reverend  Dr.  Smith,  for  his  exemplary  diligence, 
'^nd  the  great  assistance  he  has  rendered  this  Convention  as  Chair- 


16 

man  of  the  Committee,  in  perfecting  the  important  business  in 
which  they  have  been  engaged. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
given  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Griffith,  tor  his  ability  and  diligence 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  Secretary. 

Then  the  members  present  of  the  Convention  signed  all  the  acts 
^nd  instruments,  and  afterwards  adjourned,  to  meet  on  Friday, 
ten  o'clock^  at  the  Academy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
in  order  to  attend  divine  service  and  sermon. 

Friday,  7th  of  October^  1785. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment,  and  attended 
divine  service  in  Christ-Church ;  when  the  Liturgy,  as  altered, 
was  read  by  the  Reverend  Dr.  White,  and  a  suitable  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Reverend  Dr.  Smith ;  after  which  the  Conven- 
tion adjourned,  to  meet  this  evening  at  seven  o'clock,  at  the  Aca- 
demy of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

Friday  Evening,  seveii  o'clock. 

The  Convention  met,  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
given  to  to  the  Reverend  Dr.  Smith,  for  his  sermon  preached  this 
day  before  them ;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  publish  the  same. 

Resolved^  That  the  President  be  requested  to  preach  at  th& 
opening  of  the  next  Convention. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned. 

Signed,  by  order  of  the  Convention^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  President. 
Attest.     DAVID  GRIFFITH,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL 


OF   A 


(S(DS?r^®S1M®P 


OF   THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

IN  THE  STATES  OP 


NEW  YORK, 
NEW  JERSEY, 
PENNSYLVANIA, 
DELAWARE, 


MARYLAND, 
VIRGINIA, 

AND 

SOUTH  Carolina: 


HELD  IN 


CHRIST  CHURCH,  IN  THE  CITY  OF  PHILADELPHIJ, 


FROSX 


June  20th  to  the  ^6th,  1786; 


B 


JblST  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


From  the  State  of  Nexv  Tork^ 

The  Rev,  Samuel  Provost. 
The  Rev.  Joshua  Bloomer. 
The  Hon.  John  Jay,  Esquirco 

From  the  State  ofNeiv  Jerse^^ 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Beach. 

The  Rev.  William  Frazer. . 

The  Hon.  David  Brearley,  Esquire. 

James  Parker,  Esquire. 

Matthias  Halsted,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania o. 

The  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Robert  BlackwelU 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore. 
The  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinson. 
Plunket  Fleeson,  Esquire. 
Samuel  Powell,  Esquire, '  *' 

From  the  State  of  Delaware* 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Sydenham  Thorne. 
Robert  Clay,  Esquire. 
Nicholas  Ridgeley,  Esquire. 

From,  the  State  of  Maryland. 

The  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 

The  Rev.  William  Smith,  of  Stepney  Parish. 

From  the  State  of  Virginia* 

The  Rev.  David  Griffith. 

The  Hon.  Cyrus  Griffin,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  South  Carolina^ 

The  Rev.  Robert  Smith. 
Edward  Mitchel,  Esquire. 
The  Hon.  John  Parker,  Esquire 


i\ 


JOURNAI.,  &c. 


Tuesday,  ^Othofjime^  1786. 

CLERICAL  and  Lay  Deputies  from  several  of  the  states 

assembled ;  and  judging  it  proper  to  wait  for  a  fuller  Conventioh 
before  they  entered  on  business, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  2Ut  of  June^  lf86. 

The  Convention  was  opened  with  divine  service,  read  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Smith  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Griffith,  and  a  Sermon  on  the 
occasion,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  White. 

Ordered^  That  the  Members  present  exhibit  the  testimonials 
of  their  respective  appointments  ;  which  was  done  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow. 

Thursday,  ^^dofjune^  1786. 

The  Convention  met,  and  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary  by  ballot ;  when  the  Rev.  David  Griffith  was 
duly  elected  President,  and  the  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinson,  Secre- 
tary of  this  Convention. 

Motion  made  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  and  seconded  j 

That  the  Clergy  present  produce  their  letters  of  -orders,  or 
declare  by  whom  they  were  ordained. 

Whereupon  the  previous  question  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Smith,  and  seconded  by  Dr.  White,  viz. 

Whether  this  question  shall  now  be  put  ? — which  being  carried 
in  the  affirmative, — the  main  question  was  then  proposed,  and  de- 
termined in  tbe  negative. 

On  motion  made  and  seconded. 

Ordered^  That  the  letter  from  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of 
England  to  this  Convention  be  now  read,  and  it  was  read  accord- 
ingly, in  the  words  following  : 

London^  February  24,  1 786. 

To   the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  sundry  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

THE  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  hath  received  an  address, 
dated  in  Convention,  Christ-Church,  Philadelphia,  October  5, 
1785,  from  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  sundry  of  the  United  States  of  America,  direct- 
ed to  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England,  and  requesting 
them  to  confer  the  Episcopal  character  on  such  persons  as  shall 
be  recommended  by  the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  several  states  by 
them  representeil. 


20 

This  brotherly  and  christian  address  was  communicated  to  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  and  to  the  Bishops,  with  as  much  dispatch 
as  their  separate  and  distant  situations  would  permit,  and  hath 
been  received  and  considered  by  them  with  that  true  and  affec- 
tionate regard  which  they  have  always  shewn  towards  their  Epis- 
copal brethren  in  America. 

"We  are  now  enabled  to  assure  you,  that  nothing  is  nearer  to 
our  hearts  than  the  wish  to  promote  your  spiritual  welfare,  to  be 
instrumental  in  procuring  for  you  the  complete  exercise  of  our 
holy  religion,  and  the  enjoyment  of  that  Ecclesiastical  Constitu- 
tion, which  we  believe  to  be  truly  apostolical,  and  for  which  you 
express  so  unreserved  a  veneration. 

We  are  therefore  happy  to  be  informed,  that  this  pious  design 
as  not  likely  to  receive  any  discountenance  from  the  civil  powers 
^nder  which  you  live  ;  and  we  desire  you  to  be  persuaded,  ihat 
we,  on  our  parts,  will  use  our  best  endeavors,  which  we  have 
good  reason  to  hope  will  be  successful,  to  acquire  a  legal  capacity 
of  complying  with  the  prayer  of  your  address. 

With  these  sentiments  we  are  disposed  to  make  every  allow- 
ance which  candour  can  suggest  for  the  difficulties  of  your  situa- 
tion, but  at  the  same  time  we  cannot  help  being  afraid,  that,  in 
the  proceedings  of  your  Convention,  some  alterations  may  have 
been  adopted  or  intended,  which  those  difficulties  do  not  seem  to 
justify. 

Those  alterations  are  not  mentioned  in  your  address,  and,  as 
our  knowledge  of  them  is  no  more  than  what  has  reached  us 
through  private  and  less  certain  channels,  we  hope  you  will  think 
at  just,  both  to  you  and  to  ourselves,  if  we  wait  for  an  explanation. 
For  while  we  are  anxious  to  give  every  proof,  not  only  of  our 
brotherly  affection,  but  of  our  facility  in  forwarding  your  wishes, 
we  cannot  but  be  extremely  cautious,  lest  we  should  be  the  in- 
struments of  establishing  an  Ecclesiastical  system  which  will  be 
called  a  branch  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  afterwards  may 
possibly  appear  to  have  departed  from  it  essentially,  either  in  doc- 
trine or  in  discipline. 

In  the  mean  time,  we  heartily  commend  you  to  God's  holy 
protection,  and  are,  your  affectionate  Brethren, 

J.  Rochester,  T.  Cantuar, 

R.  Worcester,  W.  Ebor, 

i.  Oxford,  R.  London, 

I.  Exeter,  W.  Chichester, 

Tho.  Lincoln,  C.  Bath  &  Wells, 

John  Bangor,  S.  St.  Asaph, 

L  Lichfield  &  Coventry,       S.  Sarum, 
S.  Gloucester,  J.  Peterboroughj 

E.  St.  David's,  James  Ely. 

Chr.  Bristol, 

To  the  Meverend  and  Honorable  the  Clerical  and  Lay 
Jieputies  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  sun- 
<^nf  o/the  United  States  of  America,  Philadelphia 


21 

Resolved^  That  this  Convention  entertain  a  grateful  sense  oi 
the  christian  affection  and  condescension  manifested  in  this  letter: 
And  whereas  it  appears  that  the  venerable  Prelates  have  heard, 
through  private  channels,  that  the  Church  here  represented  have 
adopted,  or  intended,  such  alterations  as  would  be  an  essential 
deviation  from  the  Church  of  England,  this  Convention  trust  that 
thev  shall  be  able  to  give  such  information  to  those  venerable  Pre- 
lates, as  will  satisfy  them  that  no  such  alterations  have  been 
adopted  or  intended. 

Resolved^  That  a  Committee  be  now  appointed,  to  draft  an  an- 
swer to  the  letter  of  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England. 

Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  the  Rev.  Dr.  White,  the 
Rev,  Dr.  Wharton,  James  Parker  and  Cyrus  Grifiin,  Esquires, 
be  the  Committee  for  this  purpose. 

A  motion  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Provost,  and  seconded  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  of  South  Carolina,  viz. 

That  this  Convention  will  resolve  to  do  no  act  that  shall  imply 
the  validity  of  ordinations  made  by  Dr.  Seabury. 

The  previous  question  was  moved  by  Dr.  Smith,  seconded  by 
Dr.  White,  viz. 

Shall  this  question  be  now  put  ? — and  carried  in  the  alTirma- 
tive.— The  main  question  was  then  proposed,  and  determined  in 
the  negative,  as  follows  : 

New-York,  Aye. 

New-Jersey,  Aye. 

Pennsylvania,  No. 

Delaware,  No.        -  / 

Maryland,  No. 

Virginia,  No. 

South-Carolina,  Aye. 

On  motion  made  by  Dr.  White,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Smith, 
of  South-Carolina. 

Resolved  unanimously^  That  it  be  recommended  to  this  church 
in  the  states  here  represented,  not  to  receive  to  the  pastoral 
charge,  within  their  respective  limits,  Clergymen  professing  ca- 
nonical subjection  to  any  Bishop,  in  any  state  or  country,  other 
than  those  Bishops  who  may  be  duly  settled  in  the  states  repre- 
sented in  this  Convention. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow. 

Friday,  the23d  of  June^  1786. 

The  Convention  met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  of  South  Carolina, 
and  seconded,  it  was  unanimously 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Conventions  of  the 
Church,  represented  in  this  General  Convention,  not  to  admit 
any  person  as  a  Mmister  within  their  respective  limits,  who  shall 
receive  ordination  from  any  Bishop  residing  in  America,  during 


2^ 

the  application  irow  pending  to  the  English  Bishops  for  Episco- 
pal consecration. 

The  journals  of  the  late  Convention  and  the  proposed  consti- 
tution of  the  Church  were  read  for  the  first  time. 

Previous  to  a  second  readinj^,  a  memorial  from  the  Convention 
of  the  Church  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey  was  presented,  and  sun- 
dry communications  from  the  conventions  in  the  other  states  were 
made,  relative  to  the  business  of  this  Convention  :  Whereupon 

Resolved^  That  the  said  memorial  and  communications  be  re- 
ferred to  the  first  General  Convention  which  shall  assemble  with 
sufficient  powers  to  determine  on  the  same  j  and  that,  in  the  mean 
time,  they  be  lodged  with  the  Secretary. 

The  proposed  constitution  was  then  taken  up  for  a  second  read- 
ing, and  debated  by  paragraphs. 

The  Preamble,  contained  in  three  clauses  or  sections,  was 
agreed  to  without  alteration. 

Sect.  I.  Of  the  Constitution.  On  motion  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Smith,  of  South  Carolina,  the  triennial  meetings  of  the  General 
Convention  was  changed  from  the  third  Tuesday  in  June,  to  the 
fourth  Tuesdav  in  Julv. 

Sect.  II.  After  the  words  "  of  each  order,"  insert — chosen  by 
the  Convenlio7i  of  each  state. 

Sect.  Ill,  Agreed  to. 

Sect.  W.  Agreed  to. 

Sect.  V.  From  the  Avords— "  this  general  Ecclesiastical  Con- 
stitution,"— dele  the  word  ge7ieral^  and  insert  the  same  before  the 
word  "  Convention"  in  the  next  line,  and  the  sentence  will  run 
thus — he  shall  be  considered  as  a  meynber  oj  the  General  Convention. 

EX    OFFICIO. 

On  motion  by  Dr.  White,  seconded  by  Mr.  Beach.  After  the 
words  "ex  oflicio,"  add — and  a  Bishop  shall  always  preside  in  the 
General  Convention^  if  any  of  the  Episcopal  order  be  present. 

Sect.  VI.  Dele  the  words — "  by  the  respective  Conventions," 
and  insert — by  the  Convention  of  that  state.  After  the  words — 
""  to  ordain  or  confirm,"  insert — or  perform  any  ether  act  of  the 
Episcopal  of[ice. 

Sect.  VII.  Agreed  to. 

Sect.  VIII.  On  motion  by  Dr.  White,  seconded  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Beach.  After  the  words — "  equitable  mode  of  trial,"  add 
these  words — and  ct  every  tj-ial  of  a  Bishop.,  there  shall  be  one  or 
more  of  the  Episcopal  order  present :  and  none  but  a  Bishop  shall 
pronounce  sentence  of  deposition  or  degradation  from  the  ministry 
on  any  Clergyman.,  xvhether  Bishop.,  or  Presbyter.,  or  Deacon. 

Nicholas  Ridgely  Esquire,  a  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Dela- 
ware, attended,  and  after  producing  the  testimonials  of  his  ap- 
pointment, took  his  seat  in  Convention. 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

At  six  o'clock  the  Converftion  met. 


23 

The  Rev,  Sydenham  Thome,  a  Deputy  from  the  state  of 
Delaware,  exhibited  his  credentials,  and  took  his  seat  in  Conven- 
tion. 

The  debates  on  the  constitution  were  renewed  and  continued. 

Sect.  IX.  Instead  of  the  words — "  to  be  the  desire,"  insert — - 
to  be  the  general  desire.     After  the  words — "  therefore  the,"  dele 
the  whole  subsequent  part  of  the  section,  and  in  place  thereof  in- 
sert as  follows  : — Book  of  Comjnon  Prayer^  and  Administration  of 
Sacraments^  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies^  as  revised  and  pro- 
posed to  the  use  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  at  a  Conven- 
tion of  the  said  Churchy  in  tlie  states  of  Mezv  Tork^  Neiv  Jersey 
Pennsylvania^  Delaware^  Maryland^  Virginia  and  South  Car oliiia^ 
may  be  used  by  this  Churchy  in  such  of  the  states-  as  have  adopted^ 
or  7nay  adopty  the  same  in  their  particular  Conventions^  till  further 
provision  is  made  in  this  case^  by  the  frst  General  Convention 
xvhich   shall  assemble  xvith  sufficient  power   to  ratify  a  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  for  the  Church  in  these  states. 

Sect.  X.  Dele  the  whole  of  this  section,  and  in  place  thereof 
insert  as   follows : 

Ns  person  shall  be  ordained  witil  due  examination  had  by  the 
Bishop  and  txvo  Presbyters^  and  exhibiting  testimonials  of  his  mo- 
ral conduct  for  three  years  past^  signed  by  the  yninister  and  a  ma- 
jority of  the  vestry  of  the  Church  -where  he  has  last  resided:  or 
permitted  to  officiate  as  a  minister  in  this  Church  until  he  has  ex- 
hibited his  letters  of  ordination^  and  subscribed  the  foHoxving  decla- 
ration :  "  /  do  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  Nexv 
"  Testament  to  be  the  xvord  of  God^  and  to  contain  all  things  ne- 
"  cessary  te  salvation  ;  and  I  do  solemnly  engage  to  conform  to  the 
"  doctrines  and  xvorship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  i;i 
"  these  United  States.'''' 

Sect.  XI.  Dele  the  whole,  and  in  place  thereof  insert  as  follows  : 

This  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America^  xvhen  rat'ified  by  the  Church  in  a  majo- 
rity of  the  states^  assembled  in  General  Convention.,  xvith  sifficient 
poxvet  for  the  purpose  of  such  ratification.,  shall  be  unalterable  by 
the  Convention  of  any  parti cidar  state^  which  hath  been  represent- 
ed at  the  time  of  said  ratification.. 

From  the  title  of  the  Constitution  dele  the  word — *'  Ecclesias- 
tical." 

The  question  being  then  put  on  the  whole  of  the  proposed 
Constitution,  as  now  amended,  the  same  was  unanimously  agreed 
to,  as  follows  : 

A  Genei-al  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

WHEREAS,  in  the  course  of  divine  providence,  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  is  be- 
come independent  of  all  foreign  authority,  civil  and  ecclesiastical; 


■    24 

And  whereas,  at  a  meeting  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of 
the  said  Church  in  sundry  of  the  said  states,  viz.  in  the  states  of 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylv^ania,  Delaware  and  Maryland,  held  in  the  city 
of  New  York  on  the  6th  and  7th  days  of  October,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1784,  it  was  recommended  to  this  Church  in  the  said 
states  represented  as  aforesaid,  and  proposed  to  this  Church  in 
the  states  not  represented,  that  they  should  send  Deputies  to  a 
Convention  to  be  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  the  Tuesday 
before  the  Feast  of  St.  Michael  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1785,  in 
order  to  unite  in  a  Constitution  of  Ecclesiastical  Government, 
agreeably  to  certain  fundamental  principles,  expressed  in  the  said 
recommendation  and  proposal : 

And  whereas,  in  consequence  of  the  said  recommendation  and 
jiroposal,  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  have  been  duly  appointed 
from  the  said  Church  in  the  states  of  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina: 

The  said  Deputies  being  now  assembled,  and  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  importance  of  maintaining  uniformity  in  doctrine, 
discipline,  and  worship,  in  the  said  Church,  do  hereby  determine 
and  declare ; 

I.  That  there  shall  be  a  general  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  which  shall 
be  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  June, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1786,  and  for  ever  after  once  in  three 
years  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  of  July,  in  such  place  as  shall  be 
determined  by  the  Convention ;  and  special  meetings  may  be  held 
at  such  other  times,  and  in  such  place,  as  shall  be  hereafter  pro- 
vided for  ;  and  this  Church,  in  a  majority  of  the  states  aforesaid, 
shall  be  represented  before  they  shall  proceed  to  business ;  ex- 
cept that  the  representation  of  this  Church  from  two  states  shall 
he  sufficient  to  adjourn ;  and  in  all  business  of  the  Convention, 
freedom  of  debate  shall  be  allowed. 

II.  There  shall  be  a  representation  of  both  Clergy  and  Laity  of 
the  Church  in  each  state,  which  shall  consist  of  one  or  more  De- 
puties, not  exceeding  four,  of  each  order,  chosen  by  the  Con- 
vention of  each  state  ;  and  in  all  questions,  the  said  Church  in 
each  state  shall  have  but  one  Vote  ;  and  a  majority  of  suffrages 
shall  be  conclusive. 

III.  In  the  said  Church  in  every  state  represented  in  this  Con- 
vention, there  shall  be  a  Convention  consisting  of  the  Clergy  and 
Lay  Deputies  of  the  congregations. 

IV.  "•  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  Administration  of 
the  Sacraments,  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church, 
according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England,"  shall  be  conti- 
nued to  be  ustd  by  this  Church,  as  the  same  is  altered  by  this 
Convention,  in  a  certain  instrument  of  writing  passed  by  their 
authority,  entituled  "  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Protestant 
JEpiscop'al  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  order  to 


25 

render  the  same  conformable  to  the  American  revolution  and  the 
constitutions  of  the  respective  states." 

V.  In  every  state  where  there  shall  be  a  Bishop  duly  conse- 
crated and  settled,  and  who  shall  have  acceded  to  the  articles  of 
this  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  he  shall  be  considered  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  general  Convention  ex  officio  ;  and  a  Bishop  shall  al- 
ways preside  in  the  general  Convention,  if  any  of  the  episcopal 
order  be  present. 

VI.  The  Bishop  or  Bishops  in  every  state,  shall  be  chosen 
agreeably  to  such  rules  as  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Convention  of  that 
state  :  and  every  Bishop  of  this  Church  shall  confine  the  exercise 
of  his  episcopal  office  to  his  proper  jurisdiction  ;  unless  requested 
to  ordain  or  confirm,  or  perform  any  other  act  of  the  episcopal 
office,  by  any  church  destitute  of  a  Bishop. 

VII.  A  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  any  of  the  United 
States  not  now  represented,  may  at  any  time  hereafter  be  admit- 
ted, on  acceding  to  the  articles  of  this  union. 

VIII.  Every  Clergyman,  whether  Bishop  or  Presbyter,  or  Dea- 
con, shall  be  amenable  to  the  authority  of  the  Convention  in  the 
state  to  which  he  belongs,  so  far  as  relates  to  suspension  or  re- 
moval from  office ;  and  the  Convention  in  each  state  shall  insti- 
tute rules  for  their  conduct,  and  an  equitable  mode  of  trial.  And 
at  every  trial  of  a  Bishop,  there  shall  be  one  or  more  of  the  epis- 
copal order  present;  and  none  but  a  Bishop  shall  pronounce  sen- 
tence of  deposition  or  degradation  from  the  ministry  on  any  Cler- 
gyman, whether  Bishop,  or  Presbyter,  or  Deacon. 

IX.  And  whereas  it  is  represented  to  this  Convention,  to  be 
the  general  desire  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  these 
states,  that  there  may  be  further  alterations  of  the  Liturgy  than 
such  as  are  made  necessary  by  the  American  revolution  ;  there- 
fore "  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer  and  Administration  of  the 
Sacraments,  and  other  rites  and  ceremonies,  as  revised  and  pro- 
posed to  the  use  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  at  a  Con- 
vention of  the  said  Church  in  the  states  of  New  York,  New  Jer- 
sey, Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South 
Carolina,"  may  be  used  by  the  Church  in  such  of  the  states  as 
have  adopted  or  may  adopt  the  same  in  their  particular  Conven- 
tions, till  further  provision  is  made,  in  this  case,  by  the  first  Ge- 
neral Convention  which  shall  assemble  with  sufficient  power  to  ra- 
tify a  Book  of  Common  Prayer  for  the  Church  in  these  states. 

X.  No  person  shall  be  ordained,  until  due  examination  had  by 
.  the  Bishop  and  two  Presbyters,  and  exhibiting  testimonials  of  his 

moral  conduct  for  three  years  past,  signed  by  the  Minister  and  a 
majority  of  the  Vestry  of  the  church  where  he  has  last  resided  ; 
or  permitted  to  officiate  as  a  Minister  in  this  Church  until  he  has 
exhibited  his  letters  of  ordination,  and  subscribed  the  following 
declaration — "  I  do  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and  to  contain  all  things 
pecessarv  to  our  salvation  :  And  I  do  solenuily  engage  to  conform 

E 


26 

to  the  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  these  United  States." 

XI.  The  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  ia 
the  United  States  of  America,  when  ratified  by  the  Church  in  a 
majority  of  the  states  asst- mbled  in  General  Convention,  with  suf- 
ficient power  for  the  purpose  of  such  ratification,  shall  be  unal- 
terable by  the  Convention  of  any  particular  state,  which  hath  beea 
represented  at  the  time  of  such  ratification. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  24th  of  jfutte,  1786^, 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  reported  an  answer 
to  the  letter  from  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England. 

On  motion  by  Mr.  Halsted, 

Resolved  J  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Conventions  of  this 
Church  in  the  several  states  represented  in  this  Convention,  that 
they  authorise  and  empower  their  deputies  to  the  next  General 
Convention,  after  we  shall  have  obtained  a  Bishop  or  Bishops  in 
our  Church,  to  confirm  and  ratify  a  general  Constitution,  respect- 
ing both  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
given  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  White,  for  his  sermon  at  the  opening  of  this 
Convention  ;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  have  the  same  printed. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  his 
Excellency  John  Adams,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United 
States  at  the  court  of  London  ;  to  the  Hon.  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
late  President  of  Congress  ;  to  the  Hon.  John  Jay,  Secretary  for 
foreign  affairs ;  and  to  Richard  Peters,  esq. ;  for  their  kind  at- 
tention to  the  concerns  of  this  Church  :  And  that  the  President 
be  desired  to  transmit  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  correspondence  be  appointed, 
and  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  accordingly.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Griffith,  President,  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  Rev.  Dr.  White, 
Rev.  Mr.  Provost,  Hon.  John  Jay,  Hon.  James  Duane,  Samuel 
Powell,  and  Francis  Hopkinson,  esquires. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  White,  Dr.  Magaw,  Mr.  Black- 
well,  and  F.  Hopkinson,  esquire,  be  a  Committee  for  publishing 
the  Journals  of  this  Convention. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  Christ  Church  to-morrow  afternoon, 
immediately  after  divine  service. 

Sunday  afternoon,  25th  of  June ^  irsG. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  Jay,  a  Delegate  from  New  York,  attended,  and 
took  hiB  seat  in  Convention.  ' 


Some  objections  having  been  made  to  the  draft  of  an  answer 
to  the  letter  from  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England  the 
same  was  recommitted.  ' 

On  motion  made  and  seconded,  Mr.  Jav  and  Mr.  Hopkinson 
were  added  to  this  Committee. 

Adjourned  to  eleven  o'clock  to-morrow. 

Monday,  26th  of  June,  1786. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Committee  reported  a  draft  of  an  answer  to  tlie  letter  from 
the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England,  which,  being  read  and 
considered,  was  agreed  to,  and  is  as  follows  : 

To  the  Most  Reverend  and  Right  Reverend  Fathers  in  God,  th^ 
Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  England. 

Most  Worthy  and  Venerable  Prelates ! 

WE,  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  Protestant  Epls- 
copal  Church  in  the  states  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  have 
received  the  friendly  and  affectionate  letter  which  your  Lordships 
did  us  the  honor  to  write  on  the  24th  day  of  February,  and  for 
which  we  request  you  to  accept  our  sincere  and  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments. , 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  be  assured,  that  the  success  of  our  ap- 
phcation  will  probably  meet  with  no  greater  obstacles  than  what 
have  arisen  from  doubts  respecting  the  extent  of  the  alterations 
we  have  made  and  proposed ;  and  we  are  happy  to  learn,  that  as 
no  political  impediments  oppose  us  here,  those  which  at  present 
exist  in  England  may  be  removed. 

While  doubts  remain  of  our  continuing  to  hold  the  same  essen- 
tial articles  of  faith  and  discipline  with  the  Church  of  England 
we  acknowledge  the  propriety  of  suspending  a  compliance  with 
our  request. 

We  are  unanimous  and  explicit  in  assuring  your  Lordships,  that 
we  neither  have  departed  nor  propose  to  depart  from  the  doctrines 
of  your  Church.  We  have  retained  the  same  discipline  and  forms 
of  worship,  as  far  as  was  consistent  with  our  civil  constitutions; 
and  we  have  made  no  alterations  or  omissions  in  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  but  such  as  that  consideration  prescribed,  and 
such  as  were  calculated  to  remove  objections,  which  it  appeare<J 
to  us  more  conducive  to  union  and  general  content  to  obviate, 
than  to  dispute.  It  is  well  known,  that  many  great  and  pious  men 
of  the  Church  of  England  have  long  wished  for  a  revision  of  the 
Liturgy,  which  it  was  deemed  imprudent  to  hazard,  lest  it  might 
become  a  precedent  for  repeated  and  improper  alterations.  This 
IS  with  us  the  proper  season  for  such  a  revision.  We  are  now 
settling  and  ordering  the  affairs  of  our  Church,  and  if  wisely  done, 
we  shall  have  reason  to  promise  ourselves  all  the  advantages  that 
c«n  result  from  stability  and  union. 


2S 

We  are  anxious  to  complete  our  Episcopal  system,  by  means  of 
the  Church  of  England,  We  esteem  and  prefer  it,  and  with  gra- 
titude acknowledge  the  patronage  and  favours  for  which,  while 
connected,  we  have  constantly  been  indebted  to  that  Church. 
These  considerations,  added  to  that  of  agreement  in  faith  and 
worship,  press  us  to  repeat  our  former  request,  and  to  endeavour 
to  remove  your  present  hesitation,  by  sending  you  our  proposed 
Ecclesiastical  Constitution  and  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

These  documents,  we  trust,  will  afford  a  full  answer  to  every 
question  that  can  arise  on  the  subjects  We  consider  your  Lord- 
ships letter  as  very  candid  and  kind;  we  repose  full  confidence  in 
the  assurances  it  gives ;  and  that  confidence,  together  with  the 
liberality  and  Catholicism  of  your  venerable  body,  leads  i^s  to 
flatter  ourselves,  that  you  will  not  disclaim  a  branch  of  your 
Church  merely  for  having  been  in  your  Lordships  opinion,  if  that 
should  be  the  case,  pruned  rather  more  closely  that  its  separation 
inad»  absolutely  necessary. 

We  have  only  to  add,  that  as  our  Church  in  sundry  of  these 
states  have  already  proceeded  to  the  election  of  persons  to  be 
sent  for  consecration,  and  others  may  soon  proceed  to  the  same, 
we  pray  to  be  favoured  with  as  speedy  an  answer  to  this  our  se- 
cond address,  as  in  your  great  goodness  you  were  pleased  to  give 
to  our  former  one. 

We  are. 

With  great  and  sincere  respect. 

Most  worthy  and  venerable  Prelates,, 
Your  obedient  and 

In  Convention^  Very  humble  servants, 

Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  June  26,  1786. 

Virginia^, 

David  Griffith,  President.  , 

Cyrus  Griffin. 

NeTv  Tork, 

Samuel  Provost,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York. 
Joshua  Bloomer,  Rector  of  Jamaica,  Long  Island. 
John  Jay. 

New  Jersey, 

Abraham  Beach,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  New  Brunswick. 
James  Parker. 
Matthias  Halsted. 

Pennsylvania, 

William  White,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Christ  Church  and  St.  Peter's. 
Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Vice  Provost  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Rector  of  St.  Paul's. 


29 

Robert  Blackwell,  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ  Ghurch  and  St. 

Peters'. 
Samuel  Powell- 
Francis  Hopkinson. 

Delaware* 

Sydenham  Thorne,  Rector  of  Christ  Church  and  St.  Paul's. 
Charles  H.   Wharton,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Emanuel  Church,  Naw 

Casde. 
Robert  Clay. 
Nicholas  Ridgeley. 

Maryland. 

"William  Smith,  D.  D.  Principal  of  Washington  College,  and 

Rector  of  Chester  Parish. 
William  Smith,  Rector  of  Stepney  Parish. 

South  Carolina. 

Robert  Smith,  Rector  of  St.  Philip's  Church,  Charleston. 
John  Parker. 

A  fair  copy  of  the  above  being  engrossed  and  compared  at  the 
table,  the  same  was  signed  by  the  members  present,  and  delivered 
to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  to  be  forwarded  to  England. 

Resolved^  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  be  empow- 
ered to  call  a  General  Convention,  whenever  a  majority  of  the 
said  Committee  shall  think  it  necessary. 

It  was  determined  by  ballot,  that  Wilmington,  in  the  state  of 
Delaware,  shall  be  the  next  place  of  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  the 
President  for  his  impartial  and  diligent  discharges  of  the  duties  of 
his  office. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  Fran- 
cis Hopkinson,  Esquire,  for  his  diligence  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty  as  Secretary. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  be  requested  to  open  the  next 
Convention  with  a  Sermon. 

The  Convention  adjourned,  Sine  Die, 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Conventiony 

DAVID  GRIFFITH,  President. 
Francis  Hopkinson,  Secretary, 


JOURNAL 


OF   A 


®©S3W®S1M©St 


OP  THE 


iPROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THB  STATES  OF 


NEW  YORK, 
NEW  JERSEY, 
PENNSYLVANIA, 


DELAWARE, 

AND 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


HELD  AT 


WILMINGTON,  IN  THE  STATE  OF  DELAWARE, 

October  10th  and  11th,  1786. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


From  the  State  of  New  Tork* 


The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Provost. 
The  Hon.  James  Duane,  Esquire. 
John  Rutherford,  Esquire. 


From  the  State  of  New  Jersey* 

The  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden. 

The  Rev.  William  Frazer. 

John  Cox,  Esquire. 

Henry  Waddel,  Esquire. 

Joshua  Maddox  Wallace,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania*       * 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  White: 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Magaw. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell. 

The  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esquire. 

Samuel  Powel,  Esquire. 

Bernard  Gilpin,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Delaware. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  H,  Wharton. 
The  Rev.  Sydenham  Thonve. 
Isaac  Grantham,  Esquire. 
James  Sykes,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Smith. 
John  Hutledge,  jun.  Esquire. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  from  the  State  of  Maryland, 


JOURNAL,  &c. 


Tuesday,  October  lOthy  1786. 

DR.  GRIFFITH,  the  President,  not  attending,  the  Secre» 
tary  was  desired  to  take  the  Chair. 

A  question  was  then  agitated,  whether  this  meeting  is  to  be 
considered  as  a  new  Convention,  or  an  adjournment  of  that  lately 
held  at  Philadelphia  ?  and  it  was  unanimously  determined,  that 
this  shall  be  considered  as  an  adjourned  Convention. 

On  motion,  it  was  agreed  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw  be  re- 
quested to  preach  the  Convention  sermon  to-morrow,  in  casi^  Dr. 
Griffith,  who  was  appointed  to  that  service,  should  not  come  in 
time. 

On  motion,  the  letters  receiv'^ed,  since  the  last  meeting,  from 
the  Archbishops  of  Kngland,  with  the  forms  of  testimonials,  and 
act  of  Parliament,  enclosed  and  referred  to,  be  now  read,  and 
they  were  read  accordingly,  in  the  words  following  : 

To  the  Committee  of  the  general  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  White.,  President.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith.,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Provost.,  the  Hon.  James  Duane,  Samuel  Powel,  and  Richard 
PeterSy  Esqrs. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen, 

INFLUENCED  by  the  same  sentiments  of  fraternal  regard, 
expressed  by  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  in  their  answer  to  your 
address,  we  desire  you  to  be  persuaded,  that  if  we  have  not  yet  been 
able  to  comply  with  your  request,  the  delay  has  proceeded  from  no 
tardiness  on  our  part.  The  only  cause  of  it,  has  been  the  uncer- 
tainty in  which  we  were  left  by  receiving  your  address  unaccompa- 
nied by  those  communications  with  regard  to  your  Liturgy,  Articles 
and  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  without  the  knowledge  of  which  we 
could  not  presume  to  apply  to  the  Legislature,  for  such  powers  as 
were  necessary  to  the  completion  of  your  wishes.  The  Journal 
of  the  Convention,  and  the  first  part  of  your  Liturgy,  did  not 
reach  us  till  more  than  two  months  after  our  receipt  of  your  ad- 
dress ;  and  we  were  not  in  possession  of  the  remaining  part  of  it 
and  of  your  articles,  till  the  last  day  of  April.  The  whole  of  your 
communications  was  then,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  taken 
into  consideration  at  a  meeting  of  the  Archbishops  and  fifteen  ol 
the  Bishops,  being  all  who  were  then  in  London  and  able  to  at- 
tend; and  it  was  impossible  not  to  observe  with  concern,  that  if 
the  essential  doctrines  of  our  common  faith  were  retained,  less 
respect  however  was  paid  to  our  Liturgy  than  its  own  excellenccj 


oo 


and  your  declared  attachment  to  it,  had  led  us  to  expect :  not  to 
mention  n  variety  of  verbal  alterations,  of  the  necessity  or  propri- 
ety of  which  we  are  by  no  means  satisfied,  we  saw  with  c^rief, 
that  two  of  the  confessions  of  our  Christian  Faith,  respectable  for 
their  antiquity,  have  been  entirely  laid  aside  ;  and  that  even  ia 
that  which  is  called  the  Apostle's  Creed,  an  article  is  omitted, 
which  was  thought  necessary  to  be  inserted,  with  a  view  to  a 
particular  heresy,  in  a  very  early  age' of  the  Church,  and  has  ever 
since  had  the  venerable  sanction  of  universal  reception.  Nrver- 
theless,  as  a  proof  of  the  sincere  desire  which  we  feel  to  continue 
m  spiritual  communion  with  the  members  of  your  church  in  Ame- 
rica, and  to  complete  the  orders  of  your  ministry,  and  trusting 
that  the  communications  which  we  shall  make  to  you,  on  the 
subject  of  these  and  some  other  alterations,  will  have  their  de- 
sired effect,  we  have,  even  under  these  circumstances,  prepared  a 
Bill  for  conveying  to  us  the  powers  necessary  for  this  purpose.. 
It  will  in  a  few  days  be  presented  to  Parliament,  and  we  have 
the  best  reasons  to  hope  that  it  v^^ill  receive  the  assent  of  the  Le*- 
gislature.  This  Bill  will  enable  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  to 
give  Episcopal  Consecration  to  the  persons  who  shall  be  recom- 
mended, without  requiring  from  them  any  oaths"  or  subscriptions 
inconsistent  with  the  situation  in  which  the  late  revolution  has 
placed  them  ;  upon  condition  that  the  full  satisfaction  of  the  suffi- 
ciency of  the  persons  recommended,  which  you  offer  to  us  in 
your  address,  be  given  to  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops.  You 
will  doubtless  receive  it  as  a  mark  both  of  our  friendly  disposition 
toward  you,  and  of  our  desire  to  avoid  all  delay  on  this  occasion^ 
that  we  have  taken  this  earliest  opportunity  of  conveying  to  you 
this  intelligence,  and  that  we  proceed  (as  supposing  ourselves  in- 
vested with  that  power  which  for  your  sakes  we  have  requested) 
to  state  to  you  particularly  the  several  heads,  upon  which  that  sa- 
tisfaction which  you  offer,  will  be  accepted,  and  the  mode  in 
which  it  may  be  given.  The  anxiety  which  is  shewn  by  the  Church 
of  England  to  prevent  the  intrusion  of  unqualified  persons  into 
even  the  inferior  offices  of  our  ministry,  confirms  our  own  senti- 
ments, and  points  it  out  to  be  our  duty,  very  earnestly  to  require 
the  most  decisive  proofs  of  the  quali  -^tions  of  those  who  may 
be  offered  for  admission  to  that  order,  to  which  the  superintend- 
ence of  those  offices  is  committed.  At  our  several  ordinations  o£ 
a  Deacon  and  a  Priest,  the  candidate  submits  himself  to  the  ex- 
amination of  the  Bishop  as  to  his  proficiency  in  learning;  he  gives 
the  proper  security  of  his  soundness  in  the  Faith  by  the  sub- 
scriptions which  are  made  previously  necessary;  he  is  required 
to  bring  testimonials  of  his  virtuous  conversation  during  the  three 
preceding  years  ;  and  that  no  mode  of  inquiry  may  be  omitted, 
publick  notice  of  his  offering  himself  to  be  ordained  is  given  in 
the  Parish  Church  where  he  resides  or  ministers,  and  the  people 
are  solemnly  called  upon  to  declare,  if  they  know  an)  impediment 
for  the  which  he  ought  not  to  be  admitted.     At  the  time  of  ordi- 

F 


34 

nation  too  the  same  solemn  call  is  made  on  the  congregation  then 
present. 

Examination,  subscription  and  testimonials  are  not  indeed  re- 
peated at  the  Consecration  of  an  English  Bishop,  because  the 
person  to  be  consecrated  has  added  to  the  securities  given  at  his 
former  ordinations,  that  sanction  which  arises  from  his  having 
constantly  lived  and  exercised  his  ministry  under  the  eyes  and  ob- 
servation of  his  country.  But  the  objects  of  our  present  consi- 
deration are  ver}^  differently  circumstanced ;  their  sufficiency  in 
learning,  the  soundness  of  their  Faith,  and  the  purity  of  their 
manners,  are  not  matters  of  notoriety  here  ;  means  therefore 
must  be  found  to  satisfy  the  Archbishop  who  consecrates,  and  the; 
Bishops  who  present  them,  that,  in  the  words  of  our  Church, 
"  They  be  apt  and  meet  for  their  learning  and  godly  conversation, 
*'  to  exercise  their  ministry  duly  to  the  honour  of  God,  and  the 
*'  edifying  of  his  Church,  and  to  be  wholesome  examples  and  pat- 
"  terns  to  the  flock  of  Christ." 

With  regard  to  the  first  qualification,  sufficiency  in  good  learn- 
ing, we  apprehend  that  the  subjecting  a  person,  who  is  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  office  of  a  Bishop  in  the  Church,  to  that  examina- 
tion which  is  required  previous  to  the  ordination  of  Priests  and 
Deacons,  might  lessen  that  reverend  estimation  which  ought  ne- 
ver to  be  separated  from  the  Episcopal  character  :  we  therefore 
do  not  require  any  farther  satisfaction  on  this  point,  than  will  be 
given  to  us  by  the  forms  of  testimonials  in  the  annexed  paper ; 
fully  trusting  that  those  who  sign  them  will  be  well  aware,  how 
greatly  incompetence  in  this  respect  must  lessen  the  weight  and 
authority  of  the  Bishop  and  affect  the  credit  of  the  Episcopal 
Church. 

Under  the  second  head,  that  of  subscription,  our  desire  is  to 
require  that  subscription  only  to  be  repeated,  which  you  have  al- 
ready been  called  upon  to  make  by  the  tenth  article  of  your  Ec- 
clesiastical Constitution  :  but  we  should  forget  the  duty  which  we 
owe  to  our  own  Church,  and  act  inconsistently  with  that  sincere 
regard  which  we  bear  to  yours,  if  we  were  not  explicit  in  declar- 
ing, that,  after  the  disposition  we  have  shewn  to  comply  with 
the  prayer  of  your  Address,  we  think  it  now  incumbent  upon  you 
to  use  your  vitmost  exertions  also  for  the  removal  of  any  stum- 
bling block  of  offence,  which  may  possibly  prove  an  obstacle  ta 
the  success  of  it.  We  therefore  most  earnestly  exhort  you,  that 
previously  to  the  time  of  your  making  such  subscription,  you  re- 
store to  its  integrity  the  Apostle's  Creed,  in  which  you  have  omit- 
ted an  article  merely,  as  it  seems,  from  misapprehension  of  the 
sense  in  which  it  is  understood  by  our  Church  ;  nor  can  we  help 
adding,  that  we  hope  you  will  think  it  but  a  decent  proof  of  the 
attachment  which  you  profess  to  the  services  of  your  Liturgy,  to 
give  to  the  other  two  Creeds  a  place  in  your  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  even  though  the  use  of  them  should  be  left  discretional. 
We  should  be  inexcusable  too,  if  at  the  time  when  you  are  request  ■ 


ang  the  establishment  of  Bishops  in  your  Church,  we  did  not 
strongly  represent  to  you  that  the  eighth  article  of  your  Ecclesias- 
tical Constitution  appears  to  us  to  be  a  degradation  of  the  Clerical, 
and  still  more  of  the  Episcopal  character.  We  persuade  ourselves, 
that  in  your  ensuing  Convention  some  alteration  will  be  thought 
necessary  in  this  article,  before  this  reaches  you ;  or,  if  not,  that 
due  attention  will  be  given  to  it  in  consequence  of  our  represent- 
ation. 

On  the  third  and  last  head,  which  resp|;cts  purity  of  manners, 
the  reputation  of  the  church,  both  in  England  and  America,  and 
the  interest  of  our  common  Christianity  is  so  deeply  concerned  in 
it,  that  we  feel  it  our  indispensible  duty  to  provide,  on  this  sub- 
ject, the  most  effectual  securities.     It  is  presumed,  that  the  same 
previous  public  notice  of  the  intention  of  the  person  to  be  conse- 
crated will  be  given  in  the  church  where  he  resides  in  America, 
for  the  same  reasons,  and  therefore  nearly  in  the  same  form,  with 
that  used  in  England  before  our  ordinations.     The  call  upon  the 
persons  present  at  the  time  of  consecration,  must   be   deemed  of 
little  use  before  a  congregation  composed   of  those  to  whom  the 
person  to  be  consecrated  is   unknown.     The   testimonials  signed 
by  persons  living  in  England  admit  of  reference  and  examination, 
and  the  characters  of  those  who  give  them  are  subject  to  scrutiny, 
and,  in  cases  of  criminal  deceit,  to  punishment.     In  proportion  as 
these  circumstances  are  less  applicable  to  testimonials  from  Ame- 
rica, those  testimonials  must  be  more  explicit,  and  supported  by  a 
greater  number  of  signatures.     We  therefore  think    it  necessary 
that   the    several  persons,  candidates  for  episcopal  consecration, 
should  bring  to  us  both  a  testimonial  from  the  general  Convention 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  with  as  many  signatures  as  can  be  ob- 
tained, and  a  more  particular  one,  from  the  respective  Conven- 
tions in  those  states  which  recommend  them.     It  will  appear  from 
the  tenor  of  the  letters  testimonial  used  in  England,  a  form  of 
which  is  annexed,  that  the  ministers  who   sign  them  bear  testi- 
mony to  the  qualifications  of  the  candidates  on  their  own  personal 
knowledge.     Such  a   testimony   is  not  to  be  expected  from  the 
members  of  the  General  Convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
America  on  this  occasion.     We  think   it  sufficient  therefore,  that 
they  declare  they  know  no  impediment,  but  believe  the  person  to 
be  consecrated  i3  of  a  virtuous  life  and  sound  faith.  We  have  sent 
you  such  a  form  as  appears  to  us  proper  ta  be   used  for  that  pur- 
pose.    More  specific  declarations  must  be  made,  by  the  members 
of  the  Convention  in  each   state  from  which  the  persons  offered 
lor  consecration  are   respectively   recommended  ;  their  personal 
knowledge  of  them  there  can  be  no  doubt  of;  we  trust  therefore 
they  will  have  no  objection  to  the  adoption  of  the  form  of  a  testi- 
monial which  is   annexed  and  drawn   upon  the  same   principles, 
and  containing  the  same  attestations  of  personal  knowledge  with 
that  above  mentioned,  as  required  previously  to  our  ordinations ; 
we  trust  we  shall  receive  these  testimonials  signed  by  such  a  ma- 


oo 

Jonty  in  each  Convention  that  recommend,  as  to  leave  no  doubt 
of  the  fitness  of  the  candidates  upon  the  minds  of  those  whose 
consciences  are  concerned  in  the  consecration  of  them. 

Thus  much  we  have  thought  it  right  to  communicate  to  you 
without  reserve  at  present,  intending  to  give  you  farther  infor- 
mation as  soon  as  we  are  able  ;  in  the  mean  time  we  pray  God 
to  direct  your  counsels  in  this  very  weighty  matter,  and  are,  Mr. 
President  and  Gentlemen,         Your  affectionate  Brethren, 

<k  J.  CANTUAR. 

W.  EBOR. 

Form  of  a  Testimonial  for  Priesfs  Orders  in  England, 

To  the  Right  Reverend  Father  in  God  bv  Divine  Per- 
mission Lord  Bishop  of 

WE  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  testify  from  our 
personal  knowledge  of  the  life  and  behaviour  of  A.  B.  for  the 
spact-  of  three  years  last  past,  that  he  hath  during  that  time,  lived 
piously,  soberly,  and  honestly :  Nor  hath  he  at  any  time,  as  far 
as  we  know  or  believe,  written,  taught  or  held,  any  thing  con- 
trary to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Church  of  England.  And 
moreover  we  think  him  a  person  worth}^  to  be  admitted  to  the 
sacred  order  of  Priest.     In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set 

our  hands.     Dated  the -^  day  qf in  the  year  of  our 

Lord ;. 

Testimony  from  the  General  Conventiqii. 

WE  whose  nanies  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is,  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  our  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion  without  partiality  or 
affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify  that  A.  B.. 
IS  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report  ei- 
ther for  error  in  religion  or  for  viciousness  of  life  ;  and  that  we 
do  not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime, 
on  account  of  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy 
office,  but  that  he  hath  led  his  life,  for  the  three  years  last  past, 
piously,  soberly  and  honestly. 

Testimony  from  the  Members  of  the  Convention  hi  the  State  from 
whence  the  Person  is  recommended  for  Consecration* 

WE,  whose  nj^mes  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is,  that  the  sacred  Office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion  without  partiality  or  af- 
fection, do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify  that  A.  B. 
3S  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report  either 
for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life  j  and  that  we  do 
not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime  for 
which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office.    We 


v)/ 


d|D  moreover  jointly  and  severally  declare,  that,  having  person- 
all)'  known  him  for  three  years  last  past,  we  do  in  our  conscien- 
ces believe  him  to  be  of  such  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  such 
soundness  in  the  faith,  and  of  such  virtuous  and  pure  manntrs  and 
godly  conversation,  that  he  is  apt  and  meet  to  exercise  the  Office 
of  a  Bishop,  to  the  honour  of  God  and  the  edifying  of  his  Church 
and  to  be  an  wholesome  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ. 

Canterhurij^  July  4t/i.,  l786,. 

To  the  Committee  of  the  General  Convevf'on,  £sfc.  ^c. 

Gentlemen, 

THE  enclosed  act  being  now  passed,  I  have  the  satisfac- 
tion of  communicating  it  to  you.  It  is  accompanied  by  a  copy  ot 
a  letter,  and  some  forms  of  testimonials,  which  I  sent  you  by  the 
packet  of  last  month.  It  is  the  opinion  here,  that  no  more  than 
three  Bishops  should  be  consecrated  for  the  United  States  of 
America ;  who  may  consecrate  others  at  their  return,  if  more  be 
found  necessary.  But  whether  we  can  consecrate  any,  or  not, 
must  yet  depend  on  the  answers  we  may  receive,  to  what  we  have 
written. 

I  am  your  humble  servant, 

J.  CANTUAR. 

■'  An  Act  to  empoxver  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury^  or  the  Arch- 
bishop ofTork^  for  the  thne  beings  to  consecrate  to  the  Office  of 
a  Bishops  Persons  being  Subjects  or  Citizens  of  Countries  out  of 
His  Majestifs  dominions. 

WHEHEAS  by  the  Laws  of  this  realm  no  person  can  be 
consecrated  to  the  Office  of  a  Bishop,  without  the  King's  licence 
for  his  election  to  that  office,  and  the  royal  mandate  under  the 
great  seal  for  his  confirmation  and  consecration  ;  and  whereas 
r  every  person  who  shall  be  consecrated  to  the -said  office  is  requir- 
ed to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy,  and  also  the 
oath  of  due  obedience  to  the  Archbishop  :  And  whereas  there  are 
clivers  persons  subjects  or  citizens  of  countries  out  of  his  Majes- 
ty's dominions,  inhabiting  and  residing  within  the  said  countries, 
who  profess  the  publick  worship  of  Almighty  God  according  to 
the  principles  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  who  in  order  to 
provide  a  regular  succession  of  ministers  for  the  service  of  their 
Church  are  desirous  of  having  certain  of  the  subjects  or  citizens 
of  those  countries  consecrated  Bishops,  according  to  the  form  of 
consecration  in  the  Church  of  England  :  Be  it  enacted  by  the 
King's  most  excellent  Majesty  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  Lord's  Spiritual  and  Temporal  and  Commons  in  this 
present  Parliament  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same, 


38 

that  from  and  alter  the  passhig  of  this  act,  it  shall  and  may  be  law» 
ful  to  and  for  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  or  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  for  the  time  being,  together  with  such  other  Bishops  as 
they  shall  call  to  their  assistance,  to  consecrate  persons  being 
subjects  or  citizens  of  countries  out  of  his  Majesty's  dominions. 
Bishops  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  without  the  King's  licence 
for  their  election,  or  the  royal  mandate  under  the  great  seal  for 
their  confirmation  and  consecration,  and  without  requiring  them 
to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy,  and  the  oath  ot 
due  obedience  to  the  Archbishop  for  the  time  being.  Provided 
always,  that  no  persons  shall  be  consecrated  Bishops  in  the  man- 
ner herein  provided,  until  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  or  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time  being,  shall  have  first  applied 
for,  and  obtained  his  Majesty's  licence,  by  warrant  under  hrs 
royal  signet  and  sign  manual,  authorizing  and  empowering  him 
to  perform  such  consecration,  and  expressing  the  name  or  names 
of  the  persons  so  to  be  consecrated  ;  nor  until  the  said  Archbishop 
has  been  fully  ascertained  of  their  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  of 
the  soundness  of  their  faith,  and  of  the  purity  of  their  manners. 
Provided  also,  and  be  it  hereby  declared,  that  no  person  or  per- 
sons consecrated  to  the  office  of  a  Bishop  in  the  manner  aforesaid, 
nor  any  person  or  persons  deriving  their  consecration  from  or  un- 
der any  Bishop  so  consecrated,  nor  any  person  or  persons  admit- 
ted to  the  order  of  Deacon  or  Priest  by  any  Bishop  or  Bishops 
so  consecrated,  or  by  the  successor  or  successors  of  any  Bishop 
or  Bishops  so  consecrated,  shall  be  thereby  enabled  to  exercise 
his  or  their  respective  office  or  offices  within  his  Majesty's  domi- 
nions. Provided  always,  and  be  it  further  enacted,  that  a  certi- 
ficate of  such  consecration  shall  be  given  under  the  hand  and  seal 
of  the  Archbishop  who  consecrates,  containing  the  name  of  the 
person  so  consecrated,  with  the  addition  as  well  of  the  country 
whereof  he  is  a  subject  or  citizen,  as  of  the  church  in  which  he  is 
appointed  Bishop,  and  the  further  description  of  his  not  having 
taken  the  said  oaths,  being  exempted  from  the  obligation  of  so 
doing  by  virtue  of  this  act." 

Resolved,  that  a  Committee  be  now  appointed,  to  take  into  con- 
sideration, the  letters  and  papers  read,  and  to  report  thereon. 

Resolved,  that  this  Committee,  shall  consist  of  a  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputy  from  each  State. 

Whereupon  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed. 

Nexv  Tork.     The  Rev.  Dr.  Provost,  James  Duane,  Ksquire, 

NeTxi  yerseij.  The  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  Henry  Waddel,  Esquire. 

Pennsylvania^     The  Rev.  Dr.  White,  Samuel  Powel,  Esquire.* 

Delaware.  The  Rev.  Sydenham  Thome,  Isaac  Grantham, 
Esquire. 

South  Carolina.  The  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  John  Rutledge,  Es- 
quire. 

From  Maryland*     The  Rev,  Dr.  Smith. 


o9 

The  Convention  then  adjourned,  to  meet  at  eight  o'clock  to- 
morrow morning. 

Wednesday,  October  llthy  1786. 

The  Convention  met,  and  after  some  time  adjourned  to  the 
Swedes  Church,  to  attend  divine  service,  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Provost,  and  a  Sermon  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw. 

After  Sermon,  returned  to  the  Academy  Hall,  and  entered  on 
business. 

It  was  moved,  and  seconded,  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  a 
President.  The  ballots  being  taken,  it  appeared  that  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Provost,  was  unanimously  elected  President. 

A  question  was  then  proposed,  and  seconded,  viz.  whether  this 
Convention,  hath  authority  to  admit  as  members,  persons  deriving 
their  appointment,  not  from  a  State  Convention,  but  from  a  parti- 
cular Parish  or  Parishes  only. 

On  the  question  being  put,  it  was  determined  in  the  negative. 

Another  question  was  then  proposed,  and  seconded,  viz.  wheth- 
er this  Convention  can,  consistently  with  its  fundamental  articles, 
admit  a  State  to  be  represented  by  a  Clerical  or  Lay  Deputy  only. 
Which  was  also  determined  in  the  negative. 

The  Committee,  appointed  last  evening,  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  matters  contained  in  the  letters  from  the  Archbishops 
of  England,  delivered  in  their  report;  which  after  mature  delibe- 
ration and  some  amendments,  was  agreed  to  and  established  as  an 
Act  of  this  Corporation,  and  is  in  the  words,  following,  viz. 

Jn  Act  of  the  General  Convention  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in  the  States  of  Neiv  Tork, 
Nexv  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delarvare  and  South  Carolina,  held 
at  Wilmington,  in  the  State  of  Delaxvare,  on  Wednesday,  the 
llthcf  October,  178Q. 

WHEREAS,  at  a  general  Convention  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  sundry  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  v/2.  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  holden 
at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  Tuesday  before  the  feast  of  St. 
Michael,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1785,  and  divers  subsequent 
days,  it  was  agreed  and  declared.  That  "  the  Book  of  Common 
"  Prayer  and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments  and  other  Rites 
"  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  according  to  the  use  of  the 
"  Church  of  i^ngland,"  should  be  continued  to  be  used  by  this 
Church,  as  the  same  was  altered  by  the  said  Convention,  in  a  cer- 
tain instrument  of  writing,  passed  by  their  authority,  entitled^ 
"Alterations  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
"•  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  order  to  render  the  same 
"  conformable  to  the  American  Revolution  and  the  Constitutions 
"  of  the  respective  States ;"  And  it  was  further  agreed  and  de- 


40 

clarecl,  tliat  the  Boole  of  Common  Prayer  arid  Aclministfatiori  6f 
the  Sacraments  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church, 
according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  altered  by  an 
instrument  of  wiiting  passed  under  the  authority  of  the  aforesaid 
Convention,  entitled,  "  Akerations  in  the  Hook  of  Common  Pray- 
"er  and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments  and  other  Rites  and 
"  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  according  to  the  use  of  the  Church 
"  of  England,  proposed  and  recommended  to  the  Protestant 
"Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  Staies  of  America,  should  be 
"  used  in  this  Church,  when  the  same  should  have  been  ratified 
"  by  the  Conventions  which  had  respectively  sent  deputies  to  the 
"said  General  Convention;" — And  thereupon  the  said  Conven- 
tion, anxious  to  complete  their  Episcopal  System  by  means  of  the 
Church  of  England,  did  transcribe  and  transmit  an  address  to  the 
Most  Reverend  and  Right  Reverend  the  Archbishops  of  Canter- 
bury and  York,  and  the  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  England,  ear- 
nestly entreating  that  venerable  body  to  confer  the  Episcopal  cha- 
racter on  such  persons  as  should  be  recommended  by  this  Church, 
in  the  several  states  so  represented  : 

And  whereas  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  this  Church, 
have  received  the  most  friendly  and  affectionate  letters  in  answer 
to  the  said  address,  from  the  said  Archbishops  and  Bishops,  open- 
ing a  fair  prospect  of  the  success  of  their  said  applications;  but  at 
the  same  time  earnestly  exhorting  this  Convention  to  use  their  ut- 
most exertions  for  the  removal  of  certain  objections  by  them 
made,  against  some  parts  of  the  Alterations  in  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer  and  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  this  Church,  last  men- 
tioned ;  In  pursuance  whereof,  this  present  General  Convention 
hath  been  called  and  is  now  assembled ;  and  being  sincerely  dis- 
posed to  give  every  satisfaction  to  their  Lordships,  which  will  be 
consistent  with  the  union  and  general  content  of  the  Church  they 
represent ;  and  declaring  their  steadfast  resolution  to  maintain  the 
same  essential  Articles  of  Faith  and  discipline  with  the  Church  of 
England  : 

Nozu  therefore^  the  said  Deputies  do  hereby  determine  and  de- 
clare, 

Firsty  That  in  the  Creed  commonly  called  the  Apostle's  Creed, 
these  words — "lie  descended  into  Hell,"  shall  be  and  continue  a 
part  of  that  Creed. 

Secondly^  That  the  Nicene  Creed  shall  also  be  inserted  in  the 
said  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  immediately  after  the  Apostle's 
Creed,  prefaced  with  the  Rubrick  [or  this.] 

And  xvhereasy  In  consequence  of  the  objections  expressed  by 
their  Lordships  to  the  alterations  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer 
last  mentioned,  the  Conventions  in  some  of  the  states,  represented 
in  this  General  Convention,  have  suspended  the  ratification  and  use 
of  the  said  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  by  reason  whereof  it  will  be 
improper  that  persons  to  be  consecrated  or  ordained  as  Bishops, 
Priests  or  .Deacons,  respectively,  should  subscribe  the  declaration 


41 

.contained  in  the  tenth  article  of  the  General  Ecclesiastical  Con- 
stitution^  without  some  modification. 

Therefore^  it  is  hereby  determined  and  declared, 
Thirdly^  That  the  second  clause  so  to  be  subscribed  by  a 
Bishop,  Priest  or  Deacon  of  this  Church,  in  any  of  the  states 
which  have  not  already  ratified  or  used  the  last  mentioned  Book 
of  Common  Prayer,  shall  be  in  the  words  following — "•  And  I  do 
"  solemnly  engage  to  conform  to  the  doctrine  and  worship  of  the 
"  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  according  to  the  use  of  the  Church 
"  of  England,  as  the  same  is  altered  by  the  General  Convention, 
"in  a  certain  instrument  of  writing,  passed  by  their  authority, 
"  entitled,  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
"  Church  in  the  United  States  of  Amc^rica^  in  order  to  render  the 
"  same  conformable  to  the  American  revolution  and  the  Constitution 
^^  of  the  respective  States^  until  the  new  Book  of  Common  Pray- 
**  er,  recommended  by  the  General  Convention,  shall  be  ratified 
"  or  used  in  the  state  in  which  I  am  [Bishop,  Priest  or  Deacon, 
"  as  the  case  may  be]  by  the  authority  of  the  Convention  thereof. 
*'  And  I  do  further  solemnly  engage,  that  when  the  said  new  Book 
"  of  Common  Prayer  shall  be  ratified  or  used  by  the  authority  of 
*'  the  Convention  in  the  state  for  which  I  am  consecrated  a  Bish- 
op [or  ordained  a  Priest  or  Deacon]  I  will  conform  to  the  doc- 
*'  trines  and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  as  settled 
"and  determined  in  the  last  mt-ntioued  Book  of  Common  Prayer 
"  and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments,  set  forth  by  the  General 
"  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
"  States." 

And  it  is  hereby  further  determined  and  declared, 
That  these  words  in  the  Preface  to  the  new  proposed  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  viz.  "  In  the  Creed  commonly  called  "  the 
"  Aposde's  Cieecl,  one  clause  is  omitted  as  being  of  uncertain 
*'  meaning ;  and" — together  with  the  note  referred  to  in  that 
place,  be,  from  henceforth,  no  part  of  the  Preface  to  the  said  pro- 
posed Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

And  it  is  hereby  further  determined  and  declared, 
That  the  fourth  Article  of  Religion  in  the  new  proposed  Book 
of  Common  Prayer,  be  altered  to  render  it  conformable  to  the 
adoption  of  the  Nicene  Creed,  as  follows,  "  Of  the  Creeds.  The 
*'  two  creeds,  namely,  that  commonly  called  the  Apostle's  Creed 
"  and  the  Nicene  Creed,  ought  to  be  received  and  beUeved,  be- 
'*  cause  they"  &c.  &c. 

Done    in    General  Convention,  at  Wilmington,  in  the 
state  of  Delaware,  the  day  and  year  first  aforesaid. 

The  first  question,  taken  on  the  report  of  the  Committee  was, 
whether  the  words  "  lie  descended  into  Hell,"  should  be  restored 
in  the  Apostle's  Creed. 

When  the  Ayes  and  Nays  being  called  for,  the  votes  were  as 
follows, 

G 


4^ 

New  Tork.  Dr.  Provost,  Aye — ^Mr.  Duane,  Aye — ^Mr.  Ruth- 
erford,  No. — Divided. 

New  Jersey,  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden,  Aye— Rev.  Mr.  Frazer, 
Aye— Mr.   Wallace,  Aye— Mr.  Cox,  No— Mr.    Waddel,   Aye. 

= — Aye. 

Pennsylvania.  Dr.  White,  Aye— Dr.  Magaw,  Aye— Mr. 
Blackwell,  Aye— Mr.  Hopkinson,  No — Mr.  Powel,  No— Mr. 
Gilpin,  No. — Divided. 

Delazvare.  Dr.  Wharton,  No— Rev.  Mr.  Thome,  Aye— Mr. 
Sykes,  Aye — Mr.  Grantham,  No. — Divided. 

South  Carolina.  Rev.  Mr.  R.  Smith,  Aye— Mr.  Rutledge, 
Aye. — Aye.  , 

And  so  the  words  are  to  be  restored ;  there  being  two  Ayes, 
and  no  Negative. 

On  the  question,  shall  the  Nicene  Creed  be  restored  in  the 
Liturgy  ?  the  same  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

At  six  o'clock  the  Convention  met. 

On  the  question,  shall  the  Creed  commonly  called  the  Athana- 
sian  Creed,  be  admitted  in  the  Liturgy,  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ? 

The  Ayes  and  Nays  being  taken,  were  as  follows, 

Nezv  fork.  Dr.  Provost,  No — Mr.  Duane,  No — Mr.  Ruther- 
ford, No.— Nay. 

New  Jersey.  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden,  No — Rev,  Mr.  Frazer,  No — 
Mr.  Cox,  No — Mr.  Wallace,  Aye — Mr.  Waddel,  Aye.     Divided. 

Penn.^jlvania.  Dr.  White,  No. — Dr.  Magaw,  No — Rev.  Mr. 
Blackwdtl,  No— Mr.  Hopkinson,  No— Mr.  Powel,  No— Mr. 
Gilpin,  No. — Nay. 

Delazvare.  Dr.  Wharton,  No— Rev.  Mr.  Thorne,  Aye— Mr. 
Sykcs,  No — Mr.  Grantham,  No. — Divided. 

South  Carolina.  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  No— Mr.  Rutledge,  No. 
.—Nay. 

And  so,  it  was  determined  in  the  negative. 

On  the  question,  shall  the  eighth  article  of  the  Ecclesiastical 
Constitution,  remain  as  proposed  and  published,  by  the  late  Con- 
vention .**  It  was  unanimously  determined  in  the  affirmative. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  it  is  proper 
for  those  gentlemen,  who  shall  proceed  from  any  of  these  States, 
for  England,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  Episcopal  Consecration  ; 
First  to  subscribe  either  the  form  directed  in  the  10th  article  of 
the  proposed  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  or  else  the  form  directed 
in  the  Act  or  Instrument  now  passed  by  this  Convention  ;  and  that 
they  respectively  lodge  their  subscriptions  with  the  Secretary, 
taking  from  him  a  Certificate  of  their  having  so  done. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  desired  to  transmit  a  copy  of 
the  proceedings  of  this  Convention,  to  the  standing  Committees 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  States  of  Maryland  and 
yirgiuia^  with  the  affectionate  hope  of  this  body,  that  their  Breth- 


43 

ren  of  the  said  States,  after  duly  considering  the  principles  oil 
which  these  proceedings  have  been  held,  will  approve  and  adopt 
the  same. 

It  was  moved  and  seconded,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed, 
to  draft  a  letter  from  this  Convention,  to  the  Archbishops  of  Eng- 
land, in  answer  to  their  late  letters. 

And  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  accordingly  :  Dr„ 
Smith,  Dr.  White,  and  Dr.  Wharton. 

This  Committee  retired,  and  after  some  time,  returned  and  re- 
ported a  letter,  which  after  a  few  amendments  was  agreed  to,  as 
follows  : 

To  the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  Tork* 

Most  worthy  and  venerable  Prelates! 

IN  pursuance  of  your  Graces*  communications  to  the  stand- 
ing Committee  of  our  Church,  received  by  the  June  Packet,  and 
the  letter  of  his  Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  of  July  the 
fourth,  enclosing  the  Act  of  Parliament  "  to  empower  the  Arch* 
bishop  of  Canterbury,  or  the  Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time 
being,  to  consecrate  to  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  persons  being  sub- 
jects or  citizens,  of  countries  out  of  his  Majesty's  dominions,"  a 
General  Convention,  now  sitting,  have  the  honour  of  offering  their 
unanimous  and  hearty  thanks,  for  the  continuance  of  your  christian 
iattention  to  this  Church ;  and  particularly  for  your  having  so 
speedily  acquired  a  legal  capacity,  of  complying  with  the  Prayef 
of  our  former  addresses. 

We  have  taken  into  our  most  serious  and  deliberate  considera- 
tion, the  several  matters  so  affectionately  recommended  to  us  in 
those  communications,  and  whatever  could  be  done  towards  a 
compliance  with  your  fatherly  wishes  and  advice,  consistently  with 
our  local  circumstances,  and  the  peace  and  unity  of  our  Church, 
hath  been  agreed  to  ;  as,  we  trust,  will  appear  from  the  enclosed 
Act  of  our  Convention,  which  we  have  the  honour  to  transmit  to 
you,  together  with  the  Journal  of  our  proceedings, 
We  are  with  great  and  sincere  respect. 

Most  worthy  and  venerable  Prelates, 

Your  obedient  and  very  humble  servants, 
(By  Order) 

In  general  Convention^  Samuel  Provost^  President. 

At  Wilmington,  in  the  State  of  Delaware,  October  11th,  1786. 

The  above  letter,  being  fairly  copied,  was  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, in  behalf  of  the  Convention. 

On  motion,  the  States  were  respectively  called  upon  to  know 
if,  in  their  several  Conventions,  any  person  had  been  elected  and 
recommended  for  Episcopal  consecration ;  when  it  appeared,  that 
the  Convention  of  New  York  had  elected  and  recommended  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Provost  to  that  office.     The  members  prMen^^ 


44 

then  proceeded  to  sign  his  testimonials,  in  the  form  prescribed  by 
the  Archbishops  of  England,  for  the  general  Convention. 

The  Convention  of  Pennsvlvania,  had  elected  and  recommend- 
ed the  Rev.  Dr.  William  White,  and  his  testimonials  were  in 
like  manner  signed  by  the  members  present. 

It  appeared  also,  that  the  Convention  of  Virginia  had  elected 
and  recommended  the  Rev.  Dr.  David  Griffith,  and  his  testimo- 
nials were  accordingly  signed. 

,  Resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  for  his  sermon  this  forenoon, — to  the  Presi- 
dent, for  his  impartial  and  judicious  conduct,  and  to  the  Secreta- 
ry, for  his  attention  and  services. 

Resolved,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Provost,  President,  Rev.  Dr. 
Smith,  Rev.  Dr.  White,  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith,  Hon.  John  Jay,  Hon. 
James  Duane,  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinson,  and  Samuel  Powel,  Es- 
quire, be  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  ;  and  that  they  have 
power  to  call  a  general  Convention  of  the  Church,  to  meet  at 
Philadelphia,  whenever  a  majority  of  the  said  Committee  shall 
think  it  necessary. 

Resolved,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Provost  be  requested  to  preach 
before  the  Convention,  at  their  next  meeting. 

Adjourned,  S'me  Die, 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Convention, 

SAMUEL  PROVOST,  President. 
FRANCIS  HOPKINSON,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL 


OP  A 


®(|)S?^aSf5Kl(|)SS 


OP   THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THE  STATES  OP 


NEW  YORK, 
NEW  JERSEY, 
PENNSYLVANIA, 
DELAWARE, 


MARYLAND, 
VIRGINIA, 

AND 

SOUTH  CAROLINA 


HELD  IN 


CHRIST  CHURCH,  IN  THE  CITY  OF  THILABELPHU, 


FROM 


July  28th  to  August  8th,  1789o 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


THE  Right  Rev.  William  White,  B.  D.  Bishop  o^  the  Pro- 
testant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Pre- 
sident of  the  Convention. 

From  the  State  of  New  TorL 
The  Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D. 
Mr.  Moses  Rogers. 

From  the  State  of  New  Jersey'. 
The  Rev.  William  Eraser. 
The  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden. 
The  Rev.  Henry  Waddel. 
The  Rev.  George  H.  Spieren. 
John  Cox,  Esquire. 
Robert  Strettel  Jones,  Esquire. 
Samuel  Ogden,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
The  Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore. 
The  Rev,  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend. 
The  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esquire. 
Samuel  Povvel,  Esquire.  • 

Dr.  Gerardus  Clarkson. 
Tench  Coxe,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Delaware , 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Couden. 
The  Rev.  Stephen  Sykes. 
James  Sykes,  Esquire, 
Thomas  Duff,  Esquire, 
Mr.  Philip  Reading. 

From  the  State  of  Maryland. 
The  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Thomas  John  Claggett,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D. 
The  Rev.  John  Bisset. 
Richard  B.  Carmichael,  Esquire. 
Dr.  WilUam  Frisby. 

From  the  State  of  Virginia. 
Robert  Andrews,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 
The  Rev.  Robert  Smith. 
William  Ward  Burrows,  Esquire. 
William  Brisbane,  Esquire.         ♦ 


JOURNAL,  &c. 


Tuesday,  July  28thy  1789. 

CLERICAL  and  Lav  Deputies  from  several  of  the  states  as- 
sembled ;  and  judging  it  proper  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  Depu- 
ties  from  the  other  states, 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  mornmg. 

Wednesday,  yuli/  29th,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rigtit  Rev.  Dr.  White,  President,  ex  officio. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Claggett  read  prayers. 

The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provost,  who  was  to  have  preached  on 
the  opemng  of  the  Convention,  being  absent  through  indisposi- 
tion^  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  preached,  agreeably  to  request  made 
yesterday. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  Hopkinson  was  unanimously  chosen  Secretary  ; 

but  being  indisposed,  Mr.  Tench  Coxe  was  requested  to  officiate. 

Ordered^  That  the  members  present  produce  the  testimonials  of 

their  respective  appointments,  which,  being  produced,  were  read, 

and  deemed  satisfactory. 

Mr.  Andrews,  Lay  Deputy  from  Virginia,  informed  the  Con- 
vention, that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith,  the  Clerical  Delegate  from 
the  said  state,  was  in  town,  but  detained  by  sickness  from  the 
Convention. 

A  certificate  of  the  consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  William 
White,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Right  R-v.  Samuel  Provost,  D.  D, 
Bishop  of  said  church  in  the  state  of  New  York,  signed  by  Ro- 
bert Jenner,  Notary  Public,  and  dated  February  4,  1787,  was 
produced  and  read;  also  a  certificate  of  the  consecration  of  the 
Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  signed  by  his  Grace,  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  and  countersigned  by  his  Grace,  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  and  the  Right  Rev.  the  Bishops  of  Bath  and  Wells  and  o^' 
Peterborough. 

Mr.  Andrews  communicated  to  the  Convention  the  following 
extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Convention  of  this  church  in  the 
state  of  Virginia, 

In  Convention,  May  8,  1789. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputies  appointed  to  attend  the  next  Ge- 
neral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  be  desired 
to  notify  to  the  General  Convention,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith, 
Bishop  elect  of  the  said  church  in  this  state,  has  relinquished  the 
s^id  appointment,  and  that  no  person  has  been  elected  in  his  room. 


48 

A  copy  from  the  Journal  of  the  Convention  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  held  from  May  6,  to 
May  9,  1789,  inclusive. 

ROBERT  ANDREWS,  Secretary  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Convention  in  Virginia. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Mr.  Hopkinson,  and  Mr.  Andrews,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  rules  of  order. 

An  invitation  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  Con- 
vention, to  attend  a  Commencement,  was  presented  by  the  Rev, 
Dr.  Magaw,  which  was  unanimously  accepted,  and  the  President 
was  requested  to  signify  the  same  in  writing  to  the  Trustees  and 
Faculty. 

Adjourned  to  five  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Wednesday,  July  29thj  1789.  P.  M. 

The  Convention  met. 

Mr.  Hopkinson  remaining  indisposed,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend  was 
requested  to  officiate  during  his  indisposition. 

Ordered^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and 
Mr.  Ogden,  be  a  committee,  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

On  motion,  Ordered^  That  the  letters  of  consecration  of  the 
Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provost,  and  the 
notarial  certificate  thereof,  be  recorded.* 

Ordered^  That  the  Secretary  procure  a  book  for  recording  the 
minutes  and  papers  of  the  General  Convention. 

Ordered^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  and 
Mr.  Andrews,  be  a  committee,  to  prepare  an  address  of  thanks  to 
the  most  Reverend  the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York,  for 
their  good  offices  in  procuring  the  consecration  of  the  American 
Bishops. 

The  Deputies  from  the  several  states,  being  called  upon  to  de- 
clare their  powers,  relative  to  the  object  of  the  following  resolu- 
tion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  viz  : Resolved^  That 

it  be  recommended  to  the  Conventions  of  this  church,  in  the  se- 
veral states  represented  in  this  Convention,  that  they  authorise 
and  empower  their  Deputies  to  the  next  General  Convention,  af- 
ter we  shall  have  obtained  a  Bishop  or  Bishops  in  our  church,  to 
confirm  and  ratify  a  general  constitution,  respecting  both  the  doc- 
trine and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  of  America," — gave  information,  that  they  came  fully 
authorised  to  ratify  a  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  &c.  for  the  use 
of  the  church. 

Ordered^  That  the  Journal  of  the  last  General  Convention  be 
read,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  Journals  of  the  Convention  be  pro- 
cured for  each  member. 

"*  See  Appendix. 


49 

Resohed^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Smith  for  his  sermon,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  puljr 
lish  the  same. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  July  30th,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev,  Dr.  Beach  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Sykes,  the  Rev'.  Mr.  Couden,  James  Sykes  and 
Thomas  Duff,  esquir^^s,  Deputies  from  Delaware,  produced  the 
credentials  of  their  appointment,  which  being  read  and  approved, 
they  took  their  seats  in  the  Convention. 

The  aforesaid  Deputies  were  requested  to  state  their  powers 
relative  to  the  ratification  of  a  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  &c. 
which  were  deemed  sufficient. 

The  Ho:i.  Mr.  Hopkinson,  a  Deputy  for  Pennsylvania,  took  his 
seat  in  Convention. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  rules  for  the  orderly  con- 
duct oi  the  Convention,  reported  the  same,  which  were  adopted. 

On  motion,  Ordered,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  a  Deputy 
from  each  state,  be  appointed,  to  take  into  consideration  the  pro- 
posed constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  to  re- 
commend such  alterations,  additions  and  amendments,  as  they 
shall  think  necessary  and  proper. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Mr.  Jones,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Mr. 
Sykes,  the  Rev  Dr.  Smith,  Mr.  Andrews,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Smith,  were  appointed  accordingly. 

An  act  of  the  Clergy  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire, 
recommending  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass  for  consecration,  was  laid 
before  the  Convention  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  and  is  as 
follows  : 

THE  good  Providence  of  Almighty  God,  the  fountain  of 
all  goodness,  having  lately  blessed  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  by  supplying  it  with  a 
complete  and  entire  ministry,  and  affording  to  many  of  her  com- 
munion the  benefit  of  the  labours,  advice  and  government  of  the 
euccessors  of  the  Aposdes ; 

We,  Presbyters  of  said  church  in  the  states  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire,  deeply  impressed  with  the  most  lively  gra- 
titude to  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  universe,  for  his  good- 
ness in  this  respect,  and  with  the  most  ardent  love  to  his  church, 
and  concern  for  the  interest  of  her  sons,  that  they  may  enjoy  all 
the  means  that  Christ,  the  great  shepherd  and  bishop  of  souls,  has 
instituted  for  leading  his  followers  into  the  ways  of  truth  and  ho- 
liness, and  preserving  his  church  in  the  unity  of  the  spirit  and  the 
bond  of  peace  ;  to  the  end  that  the  people  committed  to  our  res- 
pective charges  may  enjoy  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  those  oflx- 

H 


50 

CCS,  the  administration  of  which  belongs  to  the  highest  order  of 
the  ministry,  and  to  encourage  and  promote,  as  far  as  in  us  lies, 
a  union  of  the  whole  Episcopal  Church  in  these  states,  and  to 
perfect  and  compact  this  mystical  bodv  of  Christ,  do  hereby  no- 
minate, elect  and  appoint  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass,  a  Presbyter  of 
said  church,  and  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Newburyport,  to  be 
our  Bishop ;  and  we  do  promise  and  engage  to  receive  him  as 
such,  when  canonically  consecrated,  and  invested  with  the  apos- 
tolic office  and  powers,  by  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  ht-re- 
after  named,  and  to  render  him  ^11  that  canonical  obedience  and 
submission,  which,  by  the  laws  of  Christ  and  the  constituiion  of 
our  church,  is  due  to  so  important  an  office 

And  we  now  address  tht:  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  in  the 
states  of  Connecticut,  New  York  imd  Pennsylvania,  praying  their 
united  assistance  in  consecrating  our  said  brother,  and  canonically 
investing  him  with  the  apostolic  office  and  powers.  This  request 
we  are  induced  to  make,  from  along  acquaintance  with  him,  and 
from  a  perfect  knowledge  of  his  being  possessed  of  that  love  to 
God  and  benevolence  to  men,  that  piety,  learning  and  good  mo- 
rals, that  prudence  and  discretion,  requisite  to  so  exalted  a  sta- 
tion, as  well  as  that  personal  respect  and  attachment  of  the  com- 
munion at  large  in  these  staes,  which  will  make  him  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  the  order,  and,  we  trust,  a  rich  blessing  to  the 
church. 

Done  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyters,  whose  names  are  un- 
derwritten, held  at  Salem,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  and 
commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  the  fourth  day  of  June, 
Anno  Salutis,   1789. 
Samuel  Parker,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston. 
T.  Fitch  Oliver,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Marblehead. 
John  Cousens  Ogden,  Rector  of  Queen's  Chapel,  Portsmouth, 

New  Hampshire, 
William  Montague,  Minister  of  Christ's  Church,  Boston. 
Tillptson  Brunson,  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ's  Church,  Boston. 
A  true  copy. 
Attest.     Samuel  Parker, 

At  the  meeting  aforesaid, 

Voted^  That  the  Rev.  Samuel  Parker  be  authorised  and  em- 
j^owered  to  transmit  copies  of  the  foregoing  act,  to  be  by  him  at- 
tested, to  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  in  Connecticut,  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania ;  and  that  he  be  appointed  our  agent,  to 
appear  at  any  convocation  to  be  holden  at  Pennsylvania  or  New 
York,  and  to  treat  upon  any  measures  that  may  tend  to  promote 
an  union  of  the  Episcopal  Church  throughout  the  United  States  of 
America,  or  that  may  prove  advantageous  to  the  interest  of  said 
church.  EDWARD  BASS,  Chairman, 

A  tnie  copy. 
Attest.     Samuel  Parker. 


51 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  the  Right  l?ev.  Dr.  Seabury,  Bi- 
shop of  the  church  in  Connecticut,  to  thr  Ri^ht  Rev.  Dr.  White, 
and  one  from  tije  same  gtntleman  to  the  R  v.  Ur.  Smith. 

Upon  reading  the  said  letters,  it  appearing  that  Bishop  Seabury 
lay  under  some  misapprehensions  concerning  an  entry  in  the  mi- 
nutes of  a  former  Convention,  as  intending  some  doubt  of  the  va- 
lidity of  his  consecration, 

Resolved  unanimoushi^  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Conven- 
tion, that  the  consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury  to  the 
episcopal  office  is  valid. 

Mr.  Burrows  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  Thiirsday. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  Juhj  Z\st^  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  read  prayers. 

Dr.  William  Frisby  produced  his  credentials,  as  a  Lay  Deputy 
from  the  state  of  Maryland,  which  being  approved,  he  took  his 
seat. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Ferguson,  a  Deputy  from  Mar}land,  and  Mr. 
Philip  Reading,  a  Deputy  from  Delaware,  took  their  seats. 

The  Convention  then  went  in  procession  to  the  German  Re- 
formed Church,  in  conseqttence  of  the  invitation  received  from 
the  Trustees  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  to  attend  the 
commencement. 

Friday,  half  past  one,    P.  M. 

The  Convention  having  returned,  they  proceeded  to  business. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  De- 
puty from  each  state,  be  appointed,  to  prepare  a  body  of  canons 
for  the  government  of  this  church  ;  and 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pil- 
more,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Couden,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Claggett,  Mr.  An- 
drews and  Mr.  Brisbane,  were  appointed  accordingly. 

Resolved^  That  on  Monday  next  this  Convention  will  resolve 
themselves  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  into  consideration  the  proposed  Book  of  Common  Prayer 
and  Administration  of  the  Sacraments. 

Mr.  DufFhad  leave  of  absence  given  him. 

Resolved,  That  the  application  of  the  Clergy  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire  to  the  Right  Rev.  Doctors  Seaburv,  Pro- 
vost and  White,  be  considered  to-murrow  in  a  committee  of  the 
whole. 

Mr.  J.  Cox  and  Mr.  Ogden  obtained  leave  of  absence  from 
Saturday  evening  till  Monday. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow. 


52 

Saturday,  August  Ut^  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  take 
into  consideration  the  proposed  constitution  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  and  to  recommend  such  alterations,  additjonSj 
or  amendments,  as  they  shall  think  necessary  and  proper,  report- 
ed a  constitution  for  the  same. 

Ordered^  That  t'le  said  constitution  be  read. 

Ordered^  That  it  be  read  a  second  time. 

Samuel  Powel,  esquire,  a  Deputy  trora  Pennsylvania,  took  his 
seat  in  the  Convention. 

The  constitution  was  then  debated  by  paragraphs. 

Resolved,  That  the  1st,  2d,  4th,  5th,  6th,  7th  and  8th  ar- 
ticles be  adopted,  and  stand  in  this  order,  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7  ; — 
that  they  be  a  rue  of  conduct  for  this  Convention ;  and  that  the 
remaining  articles  be  postponed  for  the  future  consideration  of 
this  Convention. 

The  order  for  the  day  being  called,  the  Convention  resolved 
itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  on  the  application  of  the 
clergy  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  to  the  Bishops  in 
the  states  of  Connecticut,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  was  called  to  the  chair. 

The  commiit  e,  having  made  some  progress  in  their  business, 
rose,  and  report  d  progress,  and  obtained  leave  to  sit  again. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

MoiiD AY f  August  5d J  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Waddel  read  prayers. 

The  Prt-eident  having  informed  the  Convention,  by  messiige, 
that  the  m.  ancholy  event  of  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith, 
Avhich  happened  at  his  house  this  morning,  necessarily  detained 
him  at  home,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  was  chosen  President  pro  tem- 
pore. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  Mr. 
Andrews  and  Mr.  Tench  Coxe  be  a  committee,  for  settling  the 
manner  in  which  the  Convention  shall  attend  the  funeral  of  the 
Rev.Dt    Griffith. 

The  committee,  after  an  adjournment  of  a  few  minutes,  made 
the  following  report : 

Resohed,  That  the  senior  clergyman  of  the  deputation  of  each 
state,  except  Virginia,  attend  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Grif- 
fith as  a  pall-bearer,  and  that  the  other  members  of  this  conven- 
tion attend  as  mourners,  and  that  a  sermon  be  preached  on  the 
occasion. 

Resolved,  That  the  clergy  of  all  denominations  within  this  city 
be  invited  to  attend  the  funeral. 

This  report  was  agreed  to,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  was  ap- 
pointed to  preach  the  funeral  sermon. 


53 

Reiolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  and  Mr.  Andrews, 
Lay  Deputy  from  Virginia,  be  requested  to  walk  as  chief  mourn- 
ers, and  direct  all  other  matter-,  relative  to  this  melancholy  event. 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday,  nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Tuesday,  August  4>th^  1789. 

The  Convention  met,  and  adjourned  to  the  house  of  their  Pre- 
aident,  to  attend  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith. 

After  the  funeral,  the  Convention  assembled,  and  adjourned  to 
four  o'clock,  P.M. 

Tuesday,  August  4>thy   P.  M. 

The  Convention  met. 

On  motion,  Resolved  unanimous lij^  That  the  thanks  of  this 
Convention  be  given  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  for  his  sermon 
preached  at  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith,  and  that  he  be 
requested  to  furnish  the  convention  with  a  copy  for  publication. 

The  convention  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole, 
on  the  application  of  the  clergy  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

The  committee  having  spent  some  time  on  the  business,  rose, 
and  reported  progress,  and  asked  leave  to  sit  again. 

Dr.  Claggett  having  been  necessarily  obliged  to  leave  the  con- 
vention, the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  was  appointed  in  his  stead,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  for  preparing  a  set  of  canons. 

The  order  for  Monday  being  called  up,  it  was,  on  motion, 
made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Wednesday. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  August  5th^  1789. 

The  convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Spieren  read  prayers. 

The  order  of  the  day  being  called  up,  it  was  postponed. 

The  convention  then  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the 
whole,  on  the  application  from  the  clergy  of  Massachusetts  and 
New  Hampshire. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  in  order  to  bring  the  business  before 
them  to  a  conclusion,  offered  the  following  resolves,  viz. 

"  The  committee  of  the  whole,  having  had  under  their  delibe- 
rate consideration  the  application  of  the  clergy  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire,  for  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Edward 
Bass,  as  their  Bishop,  do  offer  to  the  convention  the  following 
resolves  : 

1st.  Resolved^  That  a  complete  order  of  Bishops,  derived  as 
well  under  the  English  as  the  Scots  line  of  Episcopacy,  doth  now 
subsist  within  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  persons  of 
the  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  ;  the  Right  Rev. 
Samuel  Provost,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  said  church  in  the  state  of 
New  York,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Seabujry,  D.  D.  Bishop 
of  the  said  church  in  the  state  of  Connecticut. 


54 

52d.  jResohed,  That  the  said  three  Bishops  are  fully  competent 
to  every  proper  act  an^i  duty  of  the  episcopal  office  and  character 
in  these  United  States,  as  well  in  respect  to  the  consecration  of 
other  Bishops,  and  the  ordering  of  Priests  and  Deacons,  as  for 
the  government  of  the  church,  according  to  such  rules,  canons 
and  institutions,  as  now  are,  or  hereafter  may  be  duly  made  and 
ordained  by  the  Church  in  that  case. 

3d.  Resolved^  That  in  christian  charity,  as  well  as  of  duty,  ne- 
cessity and  expediency,  the  churches  represented  in  this  Conven- 
tion ought  to  contribute,  in  every  manner  in  their  power,  towards 
supplying  the  wants,  and  granting  every  just  and  reasonable  re- 
quest of  their  sister  churches  in  these  states  ;  and,  therefore, 

4th.  Resolved,  'I'hat  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  'White  and  the  Right 
Rev.  Dr,  Provost  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  requested  to  join 
with  die  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  in  complying  with  the  prayer  of 
the  Clergy  of  the  states  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire, 
for  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass,  Bishop  elect  of 
the  churches  in  the  said  states  ;  but  that,  before  the  s.iid  Bishops 
comply  with  the  request  aforesaid,  it  be  proposed  to  the  churches 
in  the  New  England  states  to  meet  the  churches  of  these  states, 
with  the  said  three  Bishops,  in  an  adjourned  Convention,  to  settle 
certain  articles  of  union  and  discipline  among  ail  the  churches, 
previous  to  such  consecration. 

5th.  Resolved,  I'hat  if  any  difficulty  or  delicacy,  in  respect  to 
the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  of  England,  shall  remain  with  the 
Right  Rtrv.  Doctors  White  and  Provost,  or  either  of  them,  con- 
cerning tiieir  tomplii^ince  with  the  above  request,  this  Convention 
wii!  address  the  Archbisllops  and  Bishops,  and  hope  thereby  to 
remove  the  difficulty." 

These  resolves  were  unanimously  agreed  to,  as  the  report  of 
the  committee. 

'^I'he  committee,  having  finished  the  business  committed  to  them, 
rose,  and  reported  to  the  Convention  the  above  resolves. 

Ou  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smidi,  seconded  by  Mr.  Andrews, 
this  report  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Ordered,  That  the  different  committees  appointed  by  this  Con- 
vention, which  have  not  yet  reported,  be  called  upon  to  report. 

The  committee  for  preparing  an  address  to  the  Most  Revi-rend 
the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York,  informed  the  Conven- 
tion that  they  were  not  yet  ready  to  make  a  final  report. 

The  committee  for  preparing  an  address  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States  reported,  that  they  had  not  yet  finished  the  business 
eommitted  to  their  care. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  T.  Coxe  be  added  to  the  above  committee. 
The  committee  on  the  canons  reported  certain  canons,  which 
were  ordered  to  be  read. 

On  motion,  the  Convention  r  solved  themselves  into  a  commit- 
tee of  the  whole  on  the  said  canons  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  m  the 
chair. 

The  committee,  having  made  some  progress  in  the  business 


55 

committed  to  them,  rose  and  reported,  and  asked  leave  to  sit  agaia 
to-morrow. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  August  6th,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Couden  read  prayers. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  Mr.  Tench 
Coxr  and  Mr.  Jones,  be  a  committee  to  assist  the  Secretary  in 
revising  and  publishing  the  minutes  of  the  Convention. 

The  committee  for  preparing  an  address  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  presented  a  draught,  which  was  read,  and  ordered 
to  He  on  the  table. 

The  Convention  then  resolved  themselves  into  a  committee  of 
the  whole,  on  the  canons. 

The  committee,  having  spent  some  time  on  the  business,  rose, 
and  reported. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  report  of  the  committee  lie  on 
the  table. 

The  address  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  then. 
read  a  second  time. 

It  was  afterwards  read  by  paragraphs,  and  ordered  to  be  en- 
grossed, for  signing. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  August  7th,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  laid  before  the  Convention,  "  Proposals 
"  for  printing,  by  subscription,  a  body  of  sermons  upon  the  most 
"  important  branches  of  practical  Christianity,  together  with  an  ad- 
"  dress  upon  the  same  subject,"  which  hire  follow. 

Philadelphia,  August  5,  1 789. 

To  the  Right  Reverend  and  Reverend  the  Clergy,  and  the  worthy 
and  honourable  Lay  Members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy 
in  the  states  of  Nexv  Tork,  New  Jersey,  Pentisylvania,  Dela- 
ware, Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  noxv  assembled 
in  General  Convention, 

My  worthy  Friends  and  Brethren, 

THE  Sermons  and  Discourses  whereof  the  Texts  and  Titles 
follow,  are  the  result  of  the  Author's  labours,  as  a  Preacher  of  the 
blessed  Gospel,  for  near  forty  years  past.  Sundry  of  them,  which 
were  composed  and  delivered  on  special  public  occasions,  have 
been  already  printed,  and  have  passed  through  several  editions, 
in  F^urope  as  well  as  America;  but  the  main  bodv  of  them  were 
composed  and  delivered  in  the  character  of  a  Parish  Minister, 
viz.  in  the  years  1764  and  1765,  at  Christ  Church  and  St,  Peter's 


56 

in  the  city  of  Philadelphia ;  from  thence  forward  to  the  year  1780, 
in  the  churches  of  the  Oxford  mission,  in  the  county  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  and  from  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1780,  to  July  1st, 
1789,  in  Chester  parish,  Kent  county,  Maryland. 

During  the  foregoing  long  period  of  ministerial  service,  the 
author  hath  frequently  been  solicited  to  print  or  to  give  manu- 
script copies  of  many  of  the  Sermons;  and  hath,  as  his  leisure 
would  allow,  so  often  indulged  some  of  his  too  partial  friends  and 
hearers  in  the  latter  way,  that  copies  of  sundry  Sermons  have  been 
multiplied  in  manuscript,  and  circulated  in  a  condition  not  only 
very  incorrect,  but  wholly  without  those  last  improvements  and 
touches,  which  the  best  of  them  stand  much  in  need  of,  and  which 
the  Author  had  always  designed  to  bestow  on  some  of  them,  and 
bequeath  them  as  a  legacy  to  his  surviving  friends  and  hearers, 
if  health  and  opportunity  should  permit ;  and  if  that  should  not 
be  she  case,  he  had  directed  those  few,  together  with  the  whole 
remainder  xn  the  foljowing  list,  to  be  suppressed  from  public  view, 
as  hasty  and  unfinished  compositions. 

But  the  late  change  in  the  Author's  situation,  the  resignation 
of  his  parochial  as  well  as  collegiate  charge  in  the  state  of  Mary- 
land, and  his  return  to  his  former  station  in  the  college  of  Phila- 
delphia (added  to  the  consideration  ot  his  advanced  age)  rendering 
it  probable  that  he  can  never  again  engage  in  any  stated  parochial 
duty ;  the  applications  of  some  of  his  former  friends  and  hearers 
have  been  renewed  for  the  publication  of  sundry  of  those  Ser- 
mons, which  had  long  since  been  delivered  before  them,  and  of 
which  some  of  them  had  been  supplied  with  manuscript  copies. 

In  some  late  conversations  with  judicious  and  worthy  persons, 
both  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity,  respecting  the  present  state  of  our 
churches  and  people  in  America,  it  hath  been  further  suggested, 
that  the  cause  of  religion  and  truth  might  be  much  promoted  by 
the  publication  of  a  sufficient  number  of  sermons,  or  discourses, 
digested,  as  nearly  as  possible,  into  a  system  or  body  of  divinity  ; 
comprehending  the  most  useful  and  important  articles  of  the 
christian  doctrine  ;  treated  of  in  a  scriptural  and  evangelical  way; 
in  an  easy,  affectionate,  and  correct  style  ;  suited  to  the  minds 
and  appre]  ?.n.v;ons  of  the  young  and  those  of  inferior  capacity,  as 
well  as  edifying  to  those  of  riper  years  and  more  improved  un- 
derstanding ;  not  running  out  into  learned  niceties  or  debates,  to 
disturb  common  readers  or  hearers  ;  but  avoiding  all  speculative 
and  controversial  subjects,  or  touching  upon  them  only  to  im- 
prove them,  as  far  as  possible,  towards  the  purposes  of  practical 
godliness  and  vital  Christianity. 

Although  the  author  hath  not  the  vanity  to  imagine  that  the 
following  Sermons  are  wholly  sufficient  to  this  good  design,  yet 
they  may  lay  the  foundation  of  a  more  perfect  work  ;  and  he 
finds,  upon  an  arrangement  of  them  under  proper  heads,  that,  in 
order  to  form  a  tolerably  complete  system,  only  a  few  Sermons 
would  be  wanting,  and  those  chiefly  upon  such  speculative  anxi 


57 

controversial  points,  as  the  author  hath  ever  avoided  in  the  pul- 
pit ;  but  which  (if  thought  necessary  in  a  work  of  this  kind) 
might  be  selected  from  some  of  the  ablest  and  most  orthodox  di- 
vines of  our  church. 

Indeed,  it  may  be  said  that  a  complete  body  of  sermons  and 
divinity  might  be  selected  or  compiled  in  this  way;  and  attempts' 
of  that  kind  have  been  made  with  good  effect.  But,  as  every 
age  and  country  is  best  pleased  with  its  own  forms,  compositions 
and  phrases  of  speech,  the  author  flatters  himself,  that  if  it  should 
please  God  to  enable  him  to  finish  those  sermons  in  the  way  he 
proposes,  they  will  be  at  least  acceptable  to  those  who  have  de- 
sired the  publication  of  any  of  them.  He  farther  trusts,  that  if 
his  design  should  meet  with  that  approbation  and  countenance 
which  he  affectionately  solicits  from  the  members  of  the  conven- 
tion, they  will  be  of  use  to  all  well  disposed  christians,  snd  espe- 
cially to  those  of  the  following  descriptions,  viz. 

1.  To  heads  of  families,  who  may  think  it  their  duty  to  devote 
the  evenings  of  the  Lord's  day  to  the  instruction  of  their  owu 
households. 

2.  To  pious  and  well  disposed  persons  (remote  from  places  of 
public  worship,  or  unprovided  with  ministers  or  pastors  -  who  may 
wish  to  collect  their  neighbours  and  friends  to  spend  some  parts 
of  a  Sunday  in  public  worship,  and  in  reading  sermons  and  books 
of  devotion. 

3.  To  young  clergymen  and  preachers,  who,  being  ill  supplied 
with  books,  or  a  variety  of  sermons  on  proper  subjects,  may  be 
assisted  in  their  earlier  compositions  by  the  present  work  ;  which, 
it  is  proposed  to  comprise  in  about  four  octavo  volumes,  in  the 
same  sized  paper  and  letter  as  this  address  ;  two  volumes  to  be 
published  yearly,  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  volume,  on  the  de- 
livery of  the  same  to  the  subscribers. 

WILLIAM  SMITH. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  J.  Cox, 

Resolved  unanimously.  That  the  members  of  this  convention, 
being  fully  persuaded  that  the  interests  of  religion  and  practical 
godliness  may  be  greatly  promoted  by  the  publication  of  a  body 
of  sermons,  upon  the  plan  proposed  above,  and  being  well  satis- 
fied of  the  author's  soundness  in  the  faith,  and  eminent  abilities 
for  such  a  work,  do  testify  their  approbation  of  the  same,  and 
their  desire  to  encourage  it,  by  annexing  their  names  thereto  as 
subscribers.     [Here  the  names  are  subscribed.] 

The  convention  then  took  up  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the 
whole  upon  the  canons,  which  were  read,  and  engrossed. 

The  said  canons  were  then  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  signed 
by  the  President  and  Secretar>'.     They  are  as  follow  : 


3S 

Canons  for  the  Government  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America^  agreed  on  and  ratified  in  the  Ge- 
neral Convention  of  said  churchy  held  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
ph'a^  from  the  28th  daij  of  July  to  thv  8th  day  of  August,  1789, 
inclusive. 

Canon  1.  IN  this  church  there  shall  always  be  three  orders  in 
the  ministry,  viz.  Bishops,  Priests  and  Deacons. 

Canon  2.  Every  Bishop  elect,  before  his  consecration,  shall 
produce  to  the  Bishops,  to  whom  he  is  presented  for  that  holy 
offi-e,  from  the  Convention  by  whom  he  is  elected  a  Bishop, 
and  from  the  Genrral  Convention  or  a  committee  of  that  body, 
to  be  appointed  lo  act  in  their  recess,  certificates  respectively,  in 
the  following  words,  viz. 

Testimoiyfrom  the  Members  of  the  Convejition  in  the  State^  from 
xvhence  the  Person  is  recommended  for  Consecration. 
■  WK,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is,  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion  without  partiality  or  af- 
fection, do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B. 
is  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  ei- 
ther for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life  ;  and  that  we 
do  not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime, 
for  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office.  We 
do  moreover  jointly  and  severally  declare,  that,  having  person- 
ally known  him  for  three  years  last  past,  we  do  in  our  conscien- 
ces believe  hiin  to  be  ot  such  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  suct]i 
soundness  in  the  faith,  and  of  such  virtuous  and  pure  manners 
and  godly  conversation,  that  he  is  apt  and  meet  to  exercise  the 
office  of  a  Bishop,  to  the  honour  of  God,  and  the  edifying  of  his 

hurch,  and  to  be  an  wholesome  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ. 
c  ^     ^ 

Testimony  from  The  General  Convention' 

"WE,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is,  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
■worthily  conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  our  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion  without  partiality  or 
affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B. 
is  not,  so  lar  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  ei- 
ther for  error  in  religion  or  for  viciousness  of  life  ;  and  that  we 
do  not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime, 
on  account  of  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy 
office,  but  that  he  hath,  as  we  believe,  led  his  life,  for  three 
^ears  last  past,  piously,  soberly  and  honestly. 

Canon  3.  Every  Bishop  in  this  church  shall,  as  often  as  may 
be  convenient,  visit  the  churches  within  his  diocese  or  district, 
for  the  purposes  of  examining  the  state  of  his  church,  inspecting 


59 

the  behaviour  of  the  clergy,  and  administering  the  apostolic  rite  Of 
confirmation. 

Canon  4.  Deacon's  orders  shall  not  be  conferred  on  any  person 
until  he  shull  be  tvvenr\-one  years  old,  nor  Priest's  orders  on  any 
one  until  he  shall  be  twenty-four  years  old  ;  and,  except  on  ur- 
gent occasion,  unless  he  hath  been  a  Deacon  one  year.  No  man 
shall  be  consecrated  a  Bishop  of  this  church,  until  he  shall  be  thirty 
years  old. 

Canon  5.  No  person  shall  be  ordained  either  Deacon  or  Priest, 
unless  he  shall  produce  a  satisfact(;rv  certificate  from  som-  church, 
parish  or  congregation,  that  he  is  engaged  with  them,  and  that 
they  will  receive  him  as  their  minister  and  allow  him  a  reasona- 
ble support ;  or  unless  he  be  engaged  as  a  Professor,  Tutor,  or 
instructor  of  youth,  in  some  college,  academy,  or  general  semi- 
nary of  learning,  duly  incorporated;  or  unless  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  the  church  in  the  state,  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained, 
shall  certify  to  the  Bishop  their  full  belief  and  expectation,  that 
he  will  be  received  and  settled  as  a  Pastor  by  some  one  of  the  va- 
cant churches  in  that  state. 

Canon  6.  Every  candidate  for  holv  orders  shall  be  recom- 
mended to  the  Bishop  by  a  standing  committee  of  the  Convention 
of  the  state  wherein  he  resides,  which  recommendation  shall  be 
signed  by  the  names  of  a  majority  of  the  committee,  and  shall  be 
in  the  following  words  : 

WE,  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  testify.  That  A. 
B.  for  the  space  of  three  years  last  past,  hath  lived  piously,  so- 
berly and  honestly :  nor  hath  he  at  any  time,  as  far  as  we  know 
or  believe,  written,  taught  or  held,  any  thing  contrary  to  the 
doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  And 
moreover  we  think  him  a  person  worthy  to  be  admitted  to  the  sa- 
cred order  of  Priest.     In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set 

our  hands.     Dated  the         ■        day  of ,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord . 

.  But,  before  a  standing  committee  of  any  state  shall  proceed  to 
recommend  any  candidate,  as  aforesaid,  to  the  Bishop,  such  can- 
didate shall  produce  testimonials  of  his  good  morals  and  orderly 
conduct  for  three  years  last  past,  from  the  minister  and  vestry  of 
the  parisH,  where  he  has  resided,  or  from  the  vestry  alone,  if  the 
parish  be  vacant;  a  publication  of  his  intention  to  apply  for  holy 
orders  having  been  previously  made  by  such  minister  or  vestry. 

Canon  7.  In  every  state,  in  which  there  is  no  standing  commit- 
tee, such  committee  shall  be  appointed  at  its  next  ensuing  Conven- 
tion; and  in  the  mran  time,  every  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall 
be  recommended  according  to  the  regulations  or  usage  of  the 
church  in  each  state,  and  the  requisitions  of  the  Bishop,  to  whom 
he  applies. 

Canon  8.    No  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church  until  ,he 


60 

shall  have  satisfied  the  Bishop  and  the  two  Presbyters,  by  whom 
he  shall  be  examined,  that  he  is  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the 
New  Testament  in  the  original  Greek,  and  can  give  an  account  of 
his  faith  in  the  Latin  tongue,  either  in  writing  or  otherwise,  as 
may  be  required. 

Canon  9.  Agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church, 
the  stated  times  of  ordination  shall  be  on  the  Sundays  following 
the  Ember  week  ;  viz.  the  second  Sunday  in  Lent,  the  Feast  ot 
Trinity,  and  the  Sundays  after  the  Wednesdays  following  the 
fourteenth  day  of  September,  and  the  thirteenth  of  December. 

Canon  10.  No  person,  not  a  member  of  this  church,  who  shall 
profess  to  be  episcopally  ordained,  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate 
therein,  until  he  shall  have  exhibited  to  the  vestry  of  the  church, 
in  which  he  shall  offer  to  officiate,  a  certificate  signed  by  the  Bi- 
shop of  the  diocese  or  district,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  by 
three  Clergymen  of  the  standing  committee  of  the  Convention  of 
that  state,  that  his  letters  of  orders  are  authentic,  and  given  by 
some  Bishop  whose  authority  is  acknowledged  by  this  church, 
and  also  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  moral  character. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  Convention^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Bishop  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  President  of  the  Convention. 
Francis  Hopkinson,  Sec'ry. 

Mr.  Andrews  moved  the  following  resolve  : 

Whereas  it  appeal's  that  sundry  other  canons  are  necessary  for 
the  good  government  of  the  church. 

Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith, 
Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Hopkinson,  Dr.  Clark- 
son,  and  Mr.  T.  Coxe,  be  a  committee,  to  prepare  and  report  to 
the  next  meeting  of  this  Convention,  such  additional  canons,  as 
to  them  shall  seem  necessary. 

Which  was  agreed  to. 

The  Convention  took  into  consideration  the  two  articles  of  the 
constitution  which  had  been  postponed,  and  which  they  amended 
and  agreed  to. 

Ordered^  That  the  constitution  be  engrossed,  for  signing. 

The  engrossed  address  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  was 
read,  and  signed  by  the  Convention.  '' 

Ordered^  Tnat  the  Right  Reverend  Dr.  Provost,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Smith,  Mr.  Andrews,  Mr.  John  Cox,  Mr.  Brisbane,  the  Rev^ 
Dr.  Beach,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Mr.  Rogers,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Ogden,  Rev.  Mr.  Spieren,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddel,  and  the  Hon. 
M.  Duane,  with  such  other  gentlemen  as  have  been  deputed  to 
this  Convention,  who  may  be  in  New  York,  be  requested  to  pre- 
sent the  same  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  address,  with  the  answer  that  may  be 
received  thereto,  be  printed  in  the  journals  of  the  adjourned  meet- 
ing of  this  Convention.  , 


61 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Saturday,  August  8?A,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  read  prayers.  w^,       , 

The  engrossed  constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopa   Church 
was  then  read,  and  signed  by  the  Convention,  and  is  as  follows  : 

A  General  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

Art    1.  THERE  shall  be  a  General  Convention  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  on  the 
first  Tuesday  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1 792,  and  on     ^ 
the  first  Tuesday  of  August  in  every  third  year  atterwards,  m 
such  place  as  shall  be  determined  by  the  Convention  ;  and  special 
meetings  may  be  called  at  other  times,  in  the  manner  herealter  to 
be  provided  for;  and  this  Church,  in  a  majority  of  the  states 
which  shall  have  adopted  this  constitution,  shall  be  represented, 
before  they  shall  proceed  to  business,  except  that  the  representa- 
tion from   two  states  shall  be  sufficient  to  adjourn  ;  and  in  all 
business  of  the  Convention,  freedom  of  debate  shall  be  allowed. 

Art    ^    The  Church  in  each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  a  repre- 
sentation of  both  the  Clergy  and  the  Laity,  which  representation 
shall  consist  of  one  or  more  deputies,  not  exceedmg  four  of  each 
order,  chosen  by  the  Convention  of  the  state ;  and  in  all  questions, 
when  required  by  the  clerical  or  lay  representation  from  any  state, 
each  order  shall  have  one  vote ;  and  the  majority  ot  suffrages  by 
states  shall  be  conclusive  in  each  order,  provided  such  majority 
comprehend  a  majority  of  the  states  represented  m  that  order  : , 
The  concurrence  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a 
vote  of  the  Convention.      If  the  Convention  of  any  state  should 
neglect  or  decline  to  appoint  clerical  deputies,  or  if  they  should 
neglect  or  decline  to  appoint  lay  deputies,  or  if  any  of  those  of 
either  order  appointed  should  neglect  to  attend,  or  be  prevented 
by  sickness  or  any  other  accident,  such  state  shall  nevertheless 
be  considered  as  duly  represented   by   such  deputy  or  deputies 
as  may  attend,  whether  lay  or  clerical.     And  if,  through  the  ne- 
glect of  the  Convention  of  any  of  the  churches  which  shall  have 
adopted,  or  mav  hereafter  adopt  this  constitution,  no  deputies, 
either  lay  or  clerical,  should  attend  at  any  general  convention,  the 
church  in  such  state  shall  nevertheless  be  bound  by  the  acts  ot 

such  Convention.  ,  i    n  •     .u 

Art.  3.  The  Bishops  of  this  church,  when  there  shall  be  three 
or  more,  shall,  whenever  general  conventions  are  held,  form  a 
house  of  revision,  and  when  any  proposed  act  shall  have  passed 
in  the  general  convention,  the  same  shall  be  transmitted  to  tne 
house  of  revision,  for  their  concurrence.  And  li  the  same  shall 
be  sent  back  to  the  Convention,  with  the  negative  or  non-concur- 


62 

fence  of  the  house  of  revision,  it  shall  be  again  considered  in  the 
General  Convention,  and  if  the  Convention  shall  adhere  to  the  said 
act,  by  a  majority  of  three-fifths  of  their  bodv,  it  shall  become  a 
law  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  notwithstanding  the  non-concur- 
rence of  the  housf  of  revision  ;  and  all  acts  of  the  Convention  shall 
be  authenticated  by  both  houses.  And  in  all  cases,  the  house  of 
Bishops  shall  signify  to  the  Convention  their  approbation  or  dis- 
approbation, the  latter  with  their  reasons  in  writing,  within  two 
days  alter  the  proposed  act  shall  have  been  reported  to  them  for 
concurrence,  and  in  failure  thereof  it  shall  have  the  operation  of 
a  law.  But  until  there  shall  be  three  or  more  Bishops,  as  afore- 
said, any  Bishop  attending  a  General  Convention  shall  be  a  mem- 
ber ex  officio,  and  shall  vote  with  the  Clerical  Deputies  of  the 
state  to  which  he  belongs  :  And  a  Bishop  shall  then  preside. 

Art.  4.  The  Bishop  or  Bishops  in  every  state  shall  be  choseil 
agreeably  to  such  rules,  as  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Convention  of 
that  state :  And  every  Bishop  of  this  Church  shall  confine  the 
exercise  of  his  Episcopal  office  to  his  proper  diocese  or  district, 
unless  requested  to  ordain,  or  confirm,  or  perform  any  other  act 
ot  the  Episcopal  office,  by  any  Church  destitute  of  a  Bishop. 

Art.  5.  A  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  any  of  the  United 
States,  not  now  represented,  may,  at  any  time  hereai'ter,  be  ad- 
mitted, on  acceding  to  this  constitution. 

Art.  6-  In  every  state,  the  mode  of  trying  Clergymen  shall 
be  instituted  by  the  Convention  of  the  Church  therein.  At  every 
trial  of  a  Bishop,  there  shall  be  one  or  more  of  the  Episcopal 
order  present;  and  none  but  a  Bishop  shall  pronounce  sentence  of 
deposition  or  degradation  from  the  ministry  on  any  Clergyman, 
whether  Bishop,  or  Presbyter,  or  Deacon. 

Art  7.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  to  holy  orders,  until  he 
shall  hr.ve  been  examined  by  the  Bishop,  and  by  two  Presbyters, 
and  shall  have  exhibited  such  testimonials  and  other  requisites,  as 
the  canons,  in  that  case  provided,  may  direct.  Nor  shall  any  per- 
son be  ordained,  until  he  shall  have  subscribed  the  following  de- 
claration :  "I  do  believe  the  huiy  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
*'  I'estament  to  be  the  word  ot  God,  ana  to  contain  all  things  ne- 
*' cessary  to  salvation:  And  I  do  solemnly  engage  to  conform  to 
"  the  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
"  in  these  United  States."  No  person  ordained  by  a  foreign  Bi- 
shop shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  as  a  minister  of  this  church, 
until  he  shall  have  complied  with  the  canon  or  canons  in  that  case 
provided,  and  have  also  subscribed  the  aforesaid  declaration. 

Art.  8.  A  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  Administration  of  the 
Sacraments,  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  arti- 
cles of  religion,  and  a  form  and  manner  of  making,  ordainmg  and 
consecrating  Bishops.  Priests  and  Deacons,  when  established  by 
this  or  a  future  General  Convention,  shall  be  used  in  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  these  states,  which  shall  have  adopted 
this  Constitution. 


63 

Art.  9.  This  Constitufion  shall  be  unalterable,  unless  in  Ge- 
neral Convention,  by  the  Church  in  a  majority  of  the  states,  which 
may  have  adopted  the  same  ;  and  all  alterations  shall  he  first  pro- 
posed in  one  General  Convention,  and  made  known  to  the  seve- 
ral State  Conventions,  before  they  shall  be  finally  agreed  to  or 
ratified  in  the  ensuing  General  Convention. 

In  General  Convention^  in  Christ  Churchy  Philadelphia^  August 
the  eighth^  one  thousand  seven  Hundred  and  eighty  nine. 

"William  White,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  President  of 
the  Convention. 

Neiv  York.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Assistant  Minister  of 
Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity  Churchy 
in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Moses  Rogers. 

New  Jersey.  William  Frazer,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church 
in  Trenton,  and  St.  Andrew's  Church,  in  Amwell. 

Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Newark. 

Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  Shrewsbury  and  Middletown,  New 
Jersey. 

George  H.  Spieren,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's,  Amboy. 

John  Cox. 

Samuel  Ogden. 

R.  Strattell  Jones. 

Pennsylvania.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's, 
Philadelphia. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Senior  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ 
Church  and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  Trinity, 
St.  Thomas,  and  All  Saints. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ  Church  and 
St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Francis  Hopkinson, 

Gei-ardus  Clarkson, 

Tench  Coxe. 

Samuel  Powel,  Esquire. 

Delaxvare.     Joseph  Couden,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Anne's. 

Stephen  Sykes,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  and  St.  Matthew's^ 
in  Sussex  county. 

James  Sykes. 

Maryland.  William  Smith,  D.  D.  a  Clerical  Delegate  for 
Maryland,  appointed  in  a  Convention  as  Rector  of  Chester  parish, 
Kent  county. 

Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Kent  county. 

John  Bissett,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Shrewsbury  Parish,  Kent  county* 

Richard  B.  Carmichael. 
William  Frisby. 


6-4 

» 

Virginia.     Robert  Andrews. 

South  Carolina.  Robert  Smith,  Rector  of  St.  Philip's  Church, 
Charleston,  and  Principal  of  Charleston  College, 

William  Brisbane. 

W.  W.  Burrows. 

Proposals  for  an  edition  of  the  Holy  Bible,  by  Mr.  Isaac  Col- 
lins, of  Trenton,  were  laid  before  this  Convention,  and  satisfactory 
information  was  given  them,  as  to  the  proposer's  abilities  for  the 
execution  of  the  work. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  on  motion  of  Mr.  Jones, 

That  the  members  of  this  Convention  will  assist  Mr.  Collins 
in  the  procuring  of  subscriptions. 

The  committee  for  preparing  an  address  to  the  most  Rev.  the 
Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York,  reported  an  address,  which 
was  read  and  adopted. 

Ordered^  That  it  be  engrossed,  for  signing,  and  that  it  be  signed 
by  the  members  of  the  Convention,  as  their  address,  and  by  the 
President  officially. 

Ordered^  That  it  be  published  in  the  journal  of  the  adjourned 
meeting  of  this  Convention. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  Rev. 
Dr.  Smith,  Rev.  Dr  Magaw,  Hon.  Mr.  Hopkinson,  Mr.  T. 
Coxe  and  Mr.  Burrows,  be  a  committee  to  forward  the  above 
mentioned  address  j  to  prepare  and  forward  the  necessary  answers 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parker  and  the  Clergy  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire,  respecting  their  application  for  the  consecration  of 
the  Rev.  Edward  Bass,  their  Bishop  elect ;  to  answer,  as  far  as 
may  be  necessary,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury's  letters ;  to  for- 
ward the  minutes  and  proceedings  of  this  Convention  to  the 
English  Archbishops  and  Bishops,  and  also  to  the  Right  Rev. 
Dr.  Seabury,  and  to  the  eastern  and  other  churches,  not  included 
in  this  union;  to  notify  to  them  the  time  and  place  to  which  this 
Convention  shall  adjourn,  and  request  their  attendance  at  the  same, 
for  the  good  purposes  of  union  and  general  government ;  and  to 
tall  such  special  meetings  of  the  Convention,  as  may  be  necessa- 

Resolved^  That  this  Convention  adjourn,  to  meet  at  Philadel- 
phia, on  Tuesday,  the  29th  of  September  next,  and  that  the  Right 
'Rev.  Dr.  Provost  be  requested  to  open  the  Convention  with  a 
Sermon. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Convention, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  President  of  the  Convention. 

Francis  Hopkinson,  Secretary. 


65 


APPENDIX. 


ro  all  Persons  to  whojn  these  presents  shall  covie^  or  whom  the 
same  shall  or  may  in  any  -wise  or  at  any  time  concern^  wf ,  John, 
by  Divine  Providence.  Lord  Archbishop  of  Canterbury^  Primate 
oj  all  England,  and  Metropolitan^  send  Greeting 

WHEREAS  by  an  act  of  Parliament  passed  at  Westmin- 
ster, in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord 
George  the  third.  King  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
entituled  "  An  act  to  empower  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  or 
"  the  Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time  being,  to  consecrate,  to 
"  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  persons  being  subjects  or  citizens  of  coun- 
"  tries  out  of  his  Majesty's  dominions,"  it  is  enacted,  that  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  or 
the  Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time  being,  together  with  such 
other  Bishops  as  they  shall  call  to  their  assistance,  to  consecrate 
persons,  being  subjects  or  citizens  of  countries  out  ol  his  Majes- 
ty's dominions,  Bishops,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  without  the 
King's  licence  for  their  election,  or  the  royal  mandate  under  the 
great  seal  for  their  confirmation  and  consecration,  and  without 
requiring  them  to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy, 
and  the  oath  of  due  obedience  to  the  Archbishop  for  the  time  be- 
ing. Provided  always,  that  no  persons  shall  be  consecrated  Bi- 
shops in  the  manner  herein  provided,  until  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  or  the  Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time  being,  shall 
have  first  applied  for  and  obtained  his  Majesty's  licence,  by  wai"- 
rant  under  his  royal  signet  and  sign  manual,  authorising  and  em- 
powering him  to  perform  such  consecration,  and  expressing  the 
name  or  names  of  the  persons  so  to  be  consecrated,  nor  until  the 
said  Archbishop  has  been  fully  ascertained  of  their  sufficiency  in 
good  learning,  of  the  soundness  of  their  faith,  and  of  the  purity 
of  their  manners.  Provided  also,  and  be  it  hereby  declared,  that 
no  person  or  persons  consecrated  to  the  office  of  a  Bishop  in  the 
manner  aforesaid,  nor  any  person  or  persons  deriving  their  con- 
secration from  or  under  any  Bishop  so  consecrated,  nor  any  per- 
son or  persons  admitted  to  the  order  of  Deacon  or  Priest  by  any 
Bishop  or  Bishops  so  consecrated,  or  by  the  successor  or  succes- 
sors of  any  Bishop  or  Bishops  so  consecrated,  shall  be  thereby 
enabled  to  exercise  his  or  their  respective  office  or  offices  within 
his  Majesty's  dominions.  Provided  always,  and  be  it  further 
enacted.  That  a  certificate  of  such  consecration  shall  be  given  un- 
der the  hand  and  seal  of  the  Archbishop  who  consecrates,  contain- 
ing the  name  of  the  person  so  consecrated,  wi^ih  the  addition,  as 
well  of  the  country  whereof  he  is  a  subject  or  citizen,  ar.  rtf  the 

K 


6ii 

church  in  which  he  is  appointed  Bishop,  and  the  further  descrip- 
tion of  his  not  having  taken  the  said  oaths,  being  exempted  from 
the  obligation  of  so  doing  by  virtue  of  this  act. — Now  know  all 
men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  the  said  John  Lord  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  having  obtained  his  Majesty's  licence,  by  warrant 
under  his  royal  signet  and  sign  manual,  did,  in  pursuance  of  the 
said  act  of  Parliament,  on  Sunday,  the  fourth  day  of  February,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven,  in  the  Chapel  of  our  palace,  at  Lambeth,  in  the  county  of 
Surry,  admit  our  beloved  in  Christ  William  White,  Clerk,  D.  D. 
a  subject  or  citizen  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  in  North  Ame- 
rica, and  Rector  of  Christ  Churcn  and  St.  Peter's,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  said  state,  of  whose  sufficiency  in  good 
learning,  soundness  in  the  faith,  and  purity  of  manners,  we  were 
fully  ascertained,  into  the  office  of  a  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  aforesaid,  to  which 
the  said  William  White  hath  been  elected  by  the  Convention  for 
the  said  state,  as  appears  unto  us  by  due  testimony  thereof  by 
him  produced,  and  him  the  said  William  White  did  then  and 
there  rightly  and  canonically  consecrate  a  Bishop,  according  to 
the  manner  and  form  prescribed  and  used  by  the  church  ot  Eng- 
land, his  taking  the  oaths  of  allegiance,  supremacy,  and  canoni- 
cal obedience  only  excepted,  he  being  exempted  from  the  obliga- 
tion of  taking  the  said  oaths  by  virtue  of  the  above  recited  act. 
Provided,  that  neither  he  the  said  Bishop,  nor  any  person  or  per- 
sons deriving  their  consecration  from  or  under  him,  nor  any  per- 
son or  persons  admitted  to  the  order  of  Deacon  or  Priest  by  him, 
or  his  successor  or  successors,  shall  be  enabled  to  exercise  his  or 
their  respective  office  or  offices  within  his  Majesty's  dominions. 
In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  our  Archi- Episcopal  seal" 
to  be  affixed  to  these  presents. — Given  at  Lambeth  House,  the 
day  and  year  above  written,  and  in  the  fourth  year  of  our  trans- 
lation. 

J.  (L.  S.)  CANTUAR. 

We,  William  Lord  Archbishop  of  York,  Charles  Lord  Bishop 
of  Bath  and  Wells,  and  John  Lord  Bishop  of  Peterborough,  were 
present  and  assisting  at  the  consecration  within  mentioned. 

W.  EBOR. 

C.  BATH  AND  WELLS. 

J.  PETERBOIIOUG'L 

The  signatures  of  the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York, 
and  of  the  Bishops  of  Bath  and  Wells,  and  Peterborough,  were 
made  in  my  presence,  February  4th,   1787. 

WM.  DICKES, 

(Copy. J  Secretary  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 


67 

ON  Sunday*  the  fourth  day  of  Februarj',  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  and  in  the 
fourth  year  of  the  translation  of  the  most  Reverend  Father  in 
God,  John,  by  Divine  Providence,  Lord  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, Primate  of  all  England,  and  Metropolitan,  in  the  Chapel 
at  the  Palace  at  Lambeth,  in  the  county  of  Surry,  the  said  most 
Reverend  Father  in  God,  by  virtue  and  authority  of  a  certain  li- 
cence or  warrant  from  his  most  gracious  Majesty,  and  our  sove- 
reign lord  George  the  Thirds  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, France  and  Ireland*  King.  Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  so 
forth,  to  him,  in  this  behalf,  directed,  the  most  Ueverend  Father 
in  God,  William,  by  the  same  Providence,  Lord  Archbishop  of 
York,  Primate  of  England,  and  Metropolitan,  and  the  Right 
Reverend  Fathers  in  God,  Charles,  by  divine  permission,  Lord 
Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  and  John,  by  divine  permission.  Lord 
Bishop  of  Peterborough,  assisting  him,  consecrated  the  Reverend 
William  White,  Doctor  in  Divinity,  Rector  of  Christ  Church  and 
St.  Peter's,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  a  subject  or  citizen  of 
the  Li^nited  States  of  North  America,  and  the  Reverend  Samuel 
Provost,  Doctor  in  Divinity,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  a  subject  or  citizen  also  of  the  L^nited  States 
of  North  America,  to  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  respective!}',  the 
rites,  circumstances  and  ceremonies  anciently  used  in  the  Church 
of  England  being  observed  and  applied,  according  to  the  tenor  of 
an  act  passed  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  his  said  Ma- 
jesty, entituled  "  An  act  to  empower  the  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
**  bury,  or  the  Archbishop  of  York,  for  the  time  being,  to  conse> 
"  crate  to  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  persons  being  subjects  or  citi- 
*'  zens  of  countries  out  of  his  Majesty's  dominions,"  in  the  pre- 
sence of  me,  Robert  Jenner,  ^Notary  Public,  one  of  the  Deputy 
Registers  of  the  province  of  Canterbury,  being  then  and  there 
present  the  Reverend  and  Worshipful  William  Backhouse,  Doc- 
tor   in    Divinity,  Archdeacon  of   Canterbury,  the    Rev.  

Lort,  Doctor  in  Divinity,  the  Rev. Drake,  Doctor  in  Di- 
vinity, William  Dickes,  Esquire,  Notary  Public,  Secretary  to 
his  grace  the  said  Lord  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  with  many 
others  in  great  numbers  then  and  there  assembled.  Which  I  at- 
test. 

RT.  JENNER, 
(Copy.)  Notarj'  Public,  Actuary  assumed. 

AND  we,  the  underwritten  Notaries  Public,  by  royal  autho- 
rity duly  admitted  and  sworn,  residing  in  Doctor's  Commons, 
lyondon,  do  hereby  certify  and  attest,  to  all  whom  it  may  con- 
cern, that  Rpbert  Jenner,  whose  name  is  subscribed  to  the  afore- 
going act,  was  and  is  a  Notary  Public,  and  one  of  the  Deputy 
Registers  of  the  province  of    Canterbury,  and   that  the   letters, 


68 

nsime  and  words  "  Rt.  Jenner,  Notary  Public,'*  thereto  sub- 
scribed, were  and  are  of  the  proper  hand  writing  and  subscrip- 
tion of  the  said  Robert  Jenner,  and  that  we  saw  him  sign  the 
same,  and  that  full  faith  and  entire  credit  is  and  ought  to  be 
given  to  all  the  acts,  subscriptions  and  attestations  of  the  said 
Robert  Jenner,  as  well  in  judgment  as  out.  In  testimony  where- 
of we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names,  to  serve  and  avail  as 
occasion  may  require,  at  Doctor's  Commons,  London,  this  fifth 
day  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-seven.     Which  we  attest. 

EDWARD  COOPER,  Notary  Public. 
(Copy.)  WILLIAM  ABBOT,  Notary  Public. 

Note.— TAe  letter  of  consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  Dr,  Pro- 
vost will  be  annexed  to  the  next  Journal  of  the  General  Convene 

ttoii. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OF   THB 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN   THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


IN    A 


(g(j)S3^jasr'3Ki©sf 


9 


HELD   IN 


The  City  of  Philadelphia,  from  Tuesday,  September  29th,  to 
Friday,  October  l6th,  1789. 


FKEFACE. 


AT  a  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
States  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Ma- 
ryland, Yirginia  and  §outh  Carolina,  held  in  Christ  Church,  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  from  July  28th  to  August  Sth,  1789; 
upon  the  consideration  of  certain  communications  from  the  Bishop 
and  Clergy  of  the  church  in  Connecticut,  and  from  the  Clergy  in 
the  churches  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  it  was  re- 
solved to  adjourn  to  the  29th  day  of  September  following,  in  or- 
der to  meet  the  said  churches,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  articles 
of  union,  dJsfipHiie^  ui^i^b^riji^ty  pf  ^¥orsl?lip1  an^  gjenerai  govern- 
ment among  all  the  churches  in  the  United  States. 

The  following  is  a  Journal  t>f  tl\e  Proceedings  of  both  Houses, 
(vi2.  of  Bishops,  and  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies)  in  the  said 
adjourned  Convention. 


JOURNAL,  &c. 


Christ  Church,  Tuesday^  September  29th,  1789, 

THlC  Right  Rev.  Ur.  \\^hke,  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smitli, 
the   Rev.  Dr.   Robert  Smith,  the   Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  Robert  An- 
drews, esquire,  and  Dr  Gerardus  Clurkson  met  at  Chnst  Church; 
but,  not  being  a  sufficient  number  to  proceed  to  business. 
Adjourned  until  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

ChrisI-  Church,  Wednesday,  September  30th,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White  presided,  ex  officio. 
The  Rev.  IMr.  Bracken  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bracken,  clerical  deputy  from  the  church  n\ 
Virginia,  produced*  testimonials  of  his  appointment,  which  be- 
ing read,  and  approved,  he  took  his  seat.  ^ 

The  Right  Rrv.  Dr.  Samuel  Seabury,  Bishop  ot  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  Connecticut,  attended,  to  confer  with 
the  Convention,  agreeably  to  the  invitation  given  him,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  resolve  passed  at  their  late  session  :  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Parker,  deputy  from  the  churches  in  Massachusetts  and 
New  Hampshire,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bela  Hubbard,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Abraham  Jarvis,  deputies  from  the  church  in  Connecticut, 
produced  testimonials  of  their  appointment  to  confer  with  the 
Convention,  in  consequence  of  a  similar  invitation. 

These  testimonials  were  read  and  deemed  satisfactory. 
The  Right  Rfv.  Dr.  Seabury  produced  his  letters  of  consecra- 
tion to  the  holy  office  of  a  Bishop  in  this  church,  which  were  read, 
and  ordered  to  be  recorded.     [See  the  Appendix.] 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary,  the  Hon.  Francis 
Hopkinson,  esquire,  be  permitted  and  requested  to  appoint  an 
assistant  Secretary,  who  is  not  a  member  of  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will,  to-morrow,  go  into  a 
committee  of  the  whole,  on  the  subject  of  the  proposed  union 
with  the  churches  in  the  states  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut,  as  now  represented  in  Convention. 

Resolved  further.  That  the  hours  of  business  in  Convention 
shall  be,  from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  three  in  the  af- 
ternoon.        Adjourned. 

Christ  Church,  Thursday,  October  1st,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Rowe  read  prayers. 

•  This  being  ai\  adjourned  Convention,  testimonials  wete  only  required  from 
new  members. 


72 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  from  New  York,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer, 
and  James  Parker,  esquire,  from  New  Jersey,  and  James  Sykes, 
esquire,  from  Delaware,  took  their  seats  in  Convention. 

Mr.  Joseph  Borden  Hopkinson  was  admitted  an  assistant  Se- 
cretary. 

Mr.  John  Rumsey  produced  credentials  as  a  lay  deputy  from 
the  state  of  Maryland,  and  was  admitted  to  his  seat. 

The  meeting  in  Christ  Church  being  found  inconvenient  to  the 
members,  in  several  respects — 

0 1  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith  and  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Secretary  Hopkinson,  be  appointed  to  wait  upon  his 
Excellency  Thomas  Mifflin,  esquire,  the  President  of  the  state, 
and  to  request  leave  for  the  Convention  to  hold  their  meeting  in 
some  convenient  apartment  in  the  State  House. 

The  Convention  then  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the 
whole,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  day. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith  in  the  chair ; 

And  after  some  time  rose,  and  reported  the  following  resolve, 
viz : — 

Resolved^  That  for  the  better  promotion  of  an  union  of  this 
church  with  the  eastern  churches,  the  general  Constitution  estab- 
lished at  the  last  session  of  this  Convention  is  yet  open  to  amend- 
ments and  alterations,  by  virtue  of  the  powers  delegated  to  this 
Convention. 

The  question  being  put  on  this  report,  and  a  division  called 
for,  it  was  determined  in  the  affirmative. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  confer 
With  the  deputies  from  the  eastern  churches,  on  the  subject  of  the 
proposed  union  with  those  churches  :    Whereupon, 

The  Rev  Dr.  William  Smith,  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith,  Rev. 
Dr.  Benjamin  Moore,  Richard  Harrison  and  Tench  Coxe,  es- 
quires, were  chosen  for  this  purpose. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith  and  Hon.  Mr.  Hopkinson  re- 
ported, that  the  President  of  the  state  had  very  politely  given  per- 
mission to  the  Convention  to  hold  their  meetings  at  the  State 
House,  in  the  apartments  of  the  General  Assembly,  until  they 
shall  be  wanted  for  the  public  service. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  the  State  House  to-morrow  morning. 

State  House,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
Friday,  October  2d,  1789. 

The  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  from  the  committee  appointed 
to  confer  with  the  deputies  from  the  churches  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  concerning  a  plan  of  union 
among  all  the  Protestant  Kpiscopal  Churches  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  reported  as  follows,  viz  :  — 


73 

"  That  they  have  had  a  full,  free  and  friendly  conference  with 
the  deputies  of  the  said  churches,  who,  on  behalf  of  the  church 
in  their  several  states,  and  by  virtue  of  sufficient  authority  from 
them,  have  signified,  that  they  do  not  object  to  the  constitution, 
which  was  approved  at  the  former  session  of  this  Convention,  if 
the  third  article  of  that  constitution  may  be  so  modified,  as  to  de- 
clare explicidy  the  right  of  the  Bishops,  when  sitting  in  a  sepa- 
rate House,  to  originate  and  propose  acts  for  the  concurrence  of 
the  other  House  of  Convention ;  and  to  negative  such  acts  pro- 
posed by  the  other  House,  as  they  may  disapprove. 

"  Your  committee,  conceiving  this  alteration  to  be  desirable  in 
itself,  as  having  a  tendency  to  give  greater  stal^ility  to  the  consti- 
tution, witliout  diminishing  any  security  that  is  now  possessed  by 
the  Clergv  or  laity  ;  and  being  sincex-ely  impressed  with  the  im- 
portance of  an  union  to  the  future  prosperity  of  the  church,  do 
therefore  recommend  to  the  Convention  a  compliance  with  the 
wishes  of  their  brethren,  and  that  the  third  article  of  the  consti- 
tution may  be  altered  accordingly.  Upon  such  alteration  being 
jnade,  it  is  declared  by  the  deputies  from  the  churches  in  the 
eastern  states,  that  they  will  subscribe  the  Constitution,  and  be- 
come members  of  this  General  Convention." 

Upon  special  motion,  the  above  report  was  read  a  second  time; 
whereupon  the  following  resolution  was  proposed,  viz  : — 

Resolved^  That  this  Convention  do  adopt  that  part  of  the  re- 
port of  the  committee,  which  proposes  to  modity  the  third  article 
of  the  constiiutioi,  so  as  to  declare  explicitly  "  the  right  of  the 
Bishops,  when  sitting  in  a  separate  House,  to  originate  and  pro- 
pose acts  tor  the  concurrence  of  the  other  House  ot  Convention ; 
and  to  negative  such  acts  proposed  by  the  other  House,  as  they 
may  disapprove ;  provided  they  are  not  adhered  to  by  four-fifths 
of  the  other  House." 

After  some  debate,  the  resolution,  with  the  proviso  annexed, 
was  agreed  upon,  and  the  third  article  was  accordingly  modified 
in  the  manner  following,  viz  : — 

Art.  3d.  The  Bishops  of  this  churchy  when  there  shall  be  three 
or  morey  shalU  "whenever  Gerieral  Conventions  are  held^  form  a 
separate  House^  xuith  a  right  to  originate  and  propose  acts  for 
the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Deputies^  composed  of  Clergy  and 
Laity  ;  andiohen  any  proposed  act  shall  have  passed  the  House  of 
Deputies^  the  same  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops^ 
-who  shall  have  a  negative  thereupon^  unless  adhered  to  by  four- 
fifths  of  the  other  House  ;  and  all  acts  of  the  Convention  shall  be 
authenticated  by  both  Houses.  And^  in  all  cases^  the  House  of 
Bishops  shall  signify  to  the  Converition  their  approbation  or  disap- 
probation^  the  latter^  zvith  their  reasons  in  ivriting^  within  three 
days  after  the  proposed  act  shall  have  been  reported  to  them  for 
concurrence  ;  and  in.  failure  thereof  it  shall  have  the  operation 
of  a  lazu.  But  until  there  shall  be  three  or  more  Bishops^  as  afore- 
said.^ any  Bishop  attending  a  General  Converition  shall  be  a  mm 


74 

her^  ex  offcio^  and  shall  vote  tvith  the  clerical  deputies  of  the  state 
to  which  he  belongs  ;  and  a  Bishop  shall  then  preside. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  several 
State  Conventions,  that  it  is  proposed  to  consider  and  determine 
in  the  next  General  Convention,  on  the  proprietj'  of  investing  the 
House  of  Bishops  with  a  full  negative  upon  the  proceedings  of 
the  other  House. 

Ordered^  That  the  general  constitution  of  this  church,  as  now- 
altered  and  amended,  be  laid  before  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury, 
and  the  deputies  from  the  churches  in  the  eastern  states,  for  their 
approbatioi\  and  assent. 

After  a  short  time,  they  delivered  the  following  testimony  of 
their  assent  to  the  same,  viz : 

October  2d,  1789. 

WE  do  hereby  agree  to  the  Constitution  of  the  church,  as 

modified  this  day  in  Convention. 

Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Con- 
necticut. 

Abraham  Jarvis,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Christ"^ 

Church,  Middletown,  I  State  of 

Bela  Hubiaard,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Trinity  .  Connecticut. 

Church,  New  Haven,  J 

Samuel  Parker,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston,  and 
Clerical  Deputy  for  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire. 

After  subscribing  as  above,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Seabury, 
and  the  clerical  deputies  aforesaid,  took  their  seats,  as  members 
of  the  Convention. 

On  motion,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  and  Rev.  Mr.  Jarvis,  were 
added  to  the  committee  for  revising  the  canons.     Adjourned. 

State  House,  Saturday^  October  od,  1789. 

1"he  Convention  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden  read  prayers. 

Mr.  Charles  Goldsborough  produced  the  credentials  of- his  ap- 
pointment as  a  lay  deputy  from  the  church  in  Maryland,  and  took 
his  seat  accordingly. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  informed  the  Convention,  that 
he  had  received  certain  letters  from  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Pro- 
vost, with  a  request  that  they  may  be  communicated  to  the  Con- 
vention ;  which  were  read  accordingly. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That,  agreeably  to  the  constitution  of 
the  church,  as  altered  and  confirmed,  there  is  now  in  this  Con- 
vention a  separate  House  of  Bishops. 

The  Bishops  now  withdrawing,  the  President's  chair  was  de- 
clared vacant ;  whereupon  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  President  by  ballot,  and  the 
Hey.   William  Smith,  D.  D.   clerical   deputy   from   Maryland 


75 

(Provost  of  the  college  of  Philadelphia)  wa-j  duly  chosen,  anil 
took  the  chair  accordingly. 

Resolved^  That  seats  be  provided  on  the  right  hand  of  the  chair, 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  Bishops,  when  they  shall  choose  to 
be  present  at  the  proceedings  and  debates  of  this  House. 

Q^  Here  ends  the  Journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention, 
as  consisting  of  a  Single  House.  The  Journals  of  the  two 
Houses  will  now  follow,  separately;  to  which  will  be  prefixed 
the  General  Ecclesiastical  Constitution,  as  subscribed  and  en- 
tered on  the  Book  of  Records,  which  will  answer  the  intention, 
as  well  of  exhibiting  a  list  of  the  oMembers  of  both  Houses  in 
Convention,  as  of  defining  their  separate  rights  and  powers. 

The  Constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
^  States  of  America. 

Art.  1.  TirERE  shall  be  a  General  Convention  ot  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the 
second  Tuesday  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1792,  and 
on  the  second  Tuesday  of  September  in  every  third  year  afterwards^ 
in  such  place  as  shall  be  determined  by  the  Convention  ;  and  special 
meetings  may  be  called  at  other  times,  in  the  manner  hereafter 
to  be  provided  for  ;  and  this  church,  in  a  majority  of  the  states 
which  shall  have  adopted  this  constitution,  shall  be  represented, 
before  they  shall  proceed  to  business ;  except  that  the  representation 
from  two  states  shall  be  sufficient  to  adjourn ;  and  in  all  business  of 
the  Convention,  freedom  of  debate  shall  be  allowed. 

Art.  2.  The  church  in  each  state  shall  be' entitled  to  a  repre- 
sentation of  both  the  Clergy  and  the  Laity,  which  representation 
shall  consist  of  one  or  more  deputies,  not  exceeding  four  of  each 
order,  chosen  by  the  Convention  of  the  state ;  and,  in  all  ques- 
tions, when  required  by  the  Clerical  or  Lay  representation  from 
any  state,  each  order  shall  have  one  vote ;  and  the  majority  of 
suffrages  by  states  shall  be  conclusive  in  each  order,  provided 
such  majority  comprehend  a  majority  of  the  states  represented  in 
that  order:  The  concurrence  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary  to 
constitute  a  vote  of  the  Convention.  If  the  Convention  of  any 
state  should  neglect  or  decline  to  apppint  clerical  deputies,  or  if 
they  should  neglect  or  decline  to  appoint  lay  deputies,  or  if  any 
of  those  of  either  order  appointed  should  neglect  to  attend,  or  be 
prevented  by  sickness  or  any  other  accident,  such  state  shall,  ne- 
vertheless, be  considered  as  duly  represented  by  such  deputy  or 
deputies  as  may  attend,  whether  lay  or  clerical.  And  if,  through 
the  neglect  of  the  Convention  of  any  of  the  churches  which  shall 
have  adopted,  or  may  hereafter  adopt,  this  constitution,  no  depu- 
ties, either  lay  or  clerical,  should  attend  at  any  General  Conven- 
tion ;  the  church  in  such  state  shall  nevertheless  be  bound  by  the 
acts  of  such  Convention. 

Art.  3.  The  Bishops  of  this  church,  when  there  shall  be  three 
or  mor«",  shall,  whenever  General  Conventions  are  held,  form  a 


separate  House,  with  a  right  to  originate  and  propose  acts,  tor 
the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Deputies,  composed  of  Clergy 
and  Laity  ;  and  Avhen  any  proposed  act  shall  have  passed  the 
House  of  Deputies,  the  same  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  House 
of  Bishops,  who  shall  have  a  negative  thereupon,  unless  adhered 
to  by  four-fifths  of  the  other  House  ;  and  all  acts  of  the  Con- 
vention shall  be  authenticated  by  both  Houses.  And,  in  all 
cases,  the  House  of  Bishops  shall  signify  to  the  Convention  their 
approbation  or  disapprobation  (the  latter,  with  their  reasons  in 
writing)  within  three  days  after  the  proposed  act  shall  have  been 
reported  to  them  for  concurrence  ;  and,  in  failure  thereof,  it  shall 
have  the  operation  of  a  law.  But  until  there  shall  be  three  or 
more  Bishops,  as  aforesaid,  any  Bishop  attending  a  General  Con- 
vention shall  be  a  member,  ex  qficio,  and  shall  vote  with  the 
clerical  deputies  of  the  state  to  which  he  belongs ;  and  a  Bishop 
shall  then  preside. 

Art.  4.  The  Bishop  or  Bishops  in  every  state  shall  be  chosen 
agreeably  to  such  rules  as  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Convention  of  that 
state  :  And  every  Bishop  of  this  church  shall  confine  the  exercise 
of  his  episcopal  office  to  his  proper  diocese  or  district;  unless  re- 
quested to  ordain,  or  confirm,  or  perform  anv  other  act  of  the 
episcopal  office,  by  any  church  destitute  of  a  Bishop. 

Art.  5.  A  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  any  of  the  United 
States,  not  npw  represented,  may,  at  any  time  hereafter,  be  ad- 
mitted, on  acceding  tp  this  constitution. 

Art.  6.  In  every  state,  the  mode  of  trying  clergymen  shall  be 
instituted  by  the  Convention  of  the  church  therein.  At  every 
trial  of  a  Bishop,  there  shall  be  one  or  more  of  the  episcopal  or- 
der present ;  and  none  but  a  Bishop  shall  pronounce  sentence  of 
deposition  or  degradation  from  the  ministry  on  any  Clergyman, 
whether  Bishop,  or  Presbvter,  or  Deacon. 

Art.  7.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  to  holy  orders,  until  he 
shall  have  been  examined  by  the  Bishop  and  by  two  Presbyters, 
and  shall  have  exhibited  such  testimonials  and  other  requisites, 
as  the  canons,  in  that  case  provided,  may  direct.  Nor  shall  any 
person  be  ordained  until  he  shall  have  subscribed  the  following 
declaration  :  "  I  do  believe  the  holy  scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
"  New  Testament  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and  to  contain  all  things 
"necessary  to  salvation:  And  I  do  solemnly  engage  to  conform 
**tothe  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
"in  these  United  States."  No  person  ordained  by  a  foreign 
Sishop  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  as  a  Minister  of  this  Church, 
until  he  shall  have  complied  with  the  canon  or  canons  in  that  case 
provided,  and  have  also  subscribed  the  aforesaid  declaration. 

Art.  8.  A  book  of  common  prayer,  administration  of  the 
sacraments,  and  other  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church,  articles 
of  religion,  and  a  form  and  manner  of  making,  ordaining  and  con- 
secrating Bishops,  Priests  and  Deacons,  when  established  by  this 
or  a  future  General  Convention,  shall  be  used  in  the  Protestant 


i  i 

Episcopal  Church  in  those  states  which  shall  have  adopted  this 
constitution. 

Art.  9.  This  constitution  shall  be  unalterable,  unless  in  General 
Convention,  by  the  church  in  a  majority  of  the  states,  which  may 
have  adopted  the  same  :  and  all  alterations  shall  be  first  pro|)osed 
in  one  General  Convention,  and  made  known  to  the  several  State 
Conventions  before  they  shall  be  finally  agreed  to,  or  ratified,  in 
the  ensuing  General  Convention. 

Done  in  General  Convention  of  the  Bishops^  Clergy  and  Laity  of 
the  Church,  the  second  day  of  October^  1 789,  and  ordered  to  he 
transcribed  into  the  Book  of  Records,  and  subscribed,  xuhich  rvas 
done  as  folloivs,  viz. 

In  the  House  of  Bishops. 

Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  Connecticut. 
William   White,  D.  D.  Bishop   of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

William  Smith,  D.  D.  President  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  and  Clerical  Deputy  from  Maryland. 

Neru  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts.  Samuel  Parker,  D.  D. 
Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston. 

Connecticut.  Bela  Hubbard,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Trinity  Church, 
New  Haven. 

Abraham  Jarvis,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Middletown. 

>T       /v-    7       Ti     •       •     ikif  T*    T\  *)  Assistant  Ministers  of 

Nero  Tork.     ISenjamm  Moore,  JLl.  \J.  I      Trinitv  Church  citv 

Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  C        r  xr        v    i  ' ' 
'  3      ot  JNew  York. 

Richard  Harrison,  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  New  York. 

Nerv  Jersey.  Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  New- 
ark. 

William  Frazer,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church, 
Trenton,  and  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Amwell. 

Samuel  Ogdeui  1  j        yj  n- tVs 

Robert  Strettell  Jones.  j       Y        V 

Pennsylvania.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's, 
Philadelphia. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Senior  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ 
Church  and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ  Church  and  St. 
Peters',  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  Trinity,  St. 
Thomas's,  and  All  Saints. 


78 

Gerardus  Clarkson,  "^ 

Tench  Coxe,  f    Lay  Deputies  from  the  state  of  Penn- 

Francis  Hopkinson,   C  sylvania. 

Samuel  Powell,  ^ 

Delaware.     Joseph  Cowden,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Anne's. 
Robert  Clay,  Rector  of  Emanuel  and  St.  Jamee's  Churches. 
Maryland.    John  Bisset,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Shrewsbury  Parish, 
Kent  county. 


John  Rumsey,  *)  t       -r» 

Charles  Goldsborough.  1^^^  Deputies. 


Virginia.  John  Bracken,  Rector  of  Bruton  parish,  Williams- 
burg. 

Robert  Andrews,  La)^  Deputy. 

South  Carolina.  Robert  Smith,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Philip's 
Church,  Charleston. 

William  Smith,        1  Lay  Deputies  from  the  State  of  South 

William  Brisbane.  J  Carolina. 

(Q*  Sundry  other  members  attended  this  Convention  at  different 
times  of  sitting,  but  were  absent  on  the  day  of  signing  the 
Constitution.  See  the  names  occasionally  entered  on  the  Jour- 
nal. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 

State  Housl,  Saturday^  October  3d,  1789. 

THE  Bishops  having  withdrawn,  and  a  President  being 
chosen  as  aforesaid,  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
proceeded  to  business,  as  follows,  viz. 

The  committee  on  the  canons  being  called  upon,  reported  pro- 
gress, and  had  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  calendar, 
and  tables  of  lessons  for  morning  and  evening  prayer,  throughout 
the  year ;  also  collects,  epistles  and  gospels ; — and  Rev.  Dr. 
Parker,  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  Dr.  Clarkson  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Jarvis  were  chosen  for  this  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  morning 
and  evening  service  for  the  use  of  the  church. — The  Rev.  Mr. 
Hubbard,  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith,  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Mr. 
Rumsey  and  Mr.  Andrews  were  chosen. 


Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  Litany, 
with  occasional  prayers  and  thanksgivings  ;  and  Rev.  Dr.  Beach, 
Rev.  Mr.  Bracken,  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  Mr.  Hopkinson  and  Mr. 
Goldsborough  were  chosen. 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  to  prepare  an  order 
for  the  administration  of  the  Holy  Communion  ; — and  Rev.  Mr. 
Pilmore,  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden,  Col.  Ogden,  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer  and  Mr. 
Sykes  were  appointed. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  morning. 

State  House,  Monday,  October  5th^  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  read  prayers. 
■    William  Smith,  Esq.  from  South  Carolina,  took  his  seat  in  the 
House. 

The  standing  committee,  appointed  at  the  former  session  <jf 
this  Convention,  made  report,  as  follows  : — "  That  they  had  for- 
warded the  address  to  the  most  Reverend  the  Archbishops  ot 
Canterbur}^  and  York  ;  and  that  they  prepared  and  forwarded  an- 
swers to  the  Reverend  Dr.  Parker,  and  the  clergy  of  Massachu- 
setts and  New  Hampshire ;  that  they  answered,  as  far  as  was 
necessary,  the  letters  of  the  Right  Reverend  Bishop  Seabury ;  that 
they  notified  to  the  church  in  the  several  spates,  not  included  in 
this  union,  the  time  and  place  to  which  the  Convention  had  ad- 
journed, and  requested  their  sending  deputies  to  the  same,  for  the 
good  purposes  of  union  and  General  Government;  and  that  they 
inclosed,  in  each  of  the  communications  mentioned  in  this  report, 
a  copy  of  the  minutes  and  proceedings  of  this  Convention  at  their 
last  session. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend  were  appointed 
to  assist  the  Secretary  in  preparing  the  minutes  for  the  press. 

The  committee  on  the  morning  and  evening  service  reported 
a  morning  service,  which  was  read,  and  afterwards  considered 
by  paragraphs. 

Adjourned. 

State  House,  Tuesday,  October  Qth^  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bend  read  prayers. 

The  committee  on  the  litany,  &c.  reported  a  litany,  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  to  report  in  what 
manner  the  Psalms  should  be  used ;  whereupon  the  following 
members  were  elected,  by  ballot,  for  that  service  :  Mr.  Andrews, 
Mr.  Hopkinson,  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Robert  Smith. 

The  Convention  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report 
on  the  morning  service,  and  having  made  farther  progress  therein, 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  morning. 


80 

State  House,  Thursday^  October  Sth,  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  read  prayers. 

The  Reverend  Mr-  Bloomer,  from  New  York,  Mr.  Brisbane, 
from  South  Carolina,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  from  Pennsylva- 
nia, took  their  seats  in  the  House. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Hubbard  was  chosen  Vice  President  of  this 
House. 

The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  on, 
the  morning  service,  and  completed  the  same. 

Ordered^  That  it  be  transcribed,  and  authenticated  by  the  Pre- 
sident and  Secretary,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Smith  and  Mr.  An- 
drews carry  it  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  of  the 
committee  on  the  lessons,  calendar,  &c.  carry  their  report  as  far 
as  they  have  prepared  it,  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  their  con- 
sideration. 

Mr.  Harrison  and  Mr.  Rumsey  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned. 

State  House,  Friday^  October  9th^  1789- 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw  read  prayers. 

The  committee  on  the  morning  and  evening  service  reported 
an  evening  service,  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
table. 

The  committee  on  the  communion  service  made  a  report,  which 
was  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  report  on  the  Litany  was  then  taken  up,  and  some  progress 
made  in  the  consideration  thereof, 

Adjourned. 

State  House,  Saturday,  October  10th,  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer  read  prayers. 

The  committee  on  the  calendar,  &c.  brought  in  the  remainder 
of  their  report,  which  was  ordered  to  be  laid  before  the  House  of 
Bishops. 

The  House  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  on  the 
litany,  and  completed  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  litany  be  transcribed,  and  authenticated  by 
the  President  and  Secretary. 

The  proposed  tables  of  -lessons  for  Sundays  and  other  Holy 
Days  were  returned  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  some  amend- 
ments. 

On  motion,  the  tables  of  lessons  for  Sundays  and  other  Holy 
Days,  as  amended  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  were  re-committed 
to  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  them. 


81 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  in  what  manner  the  psalms 
shall  be  used,  made  a  report,  which  was  read,  agreed  to,  and  di- 
rected to  be  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  evening  service  was  then  considered,  amended,  and  or- 
dered to  be  transcribed  and  authenticated  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Beach  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  were  appointed  to  carry  it  to  the 
House  of  Bishops,  for  their  concurrence. 

The  report  on  the  communion  service  was  taken  up,  and  some 
progress  made  in  the  consideration  thereof. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with 
their  assent  to  the  calendar,  the  epistles  and  gospels,  and  propos- 
ing certain  amendments  to  the  collects  laid  before  them  ;  which 
amendments  were  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Ogden  had  leave  of  absence. 

It  having  been  notified,  that  the  public  service  of  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania  would  require  the  use  of  the  State  house  during  the 
present  week  ; 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  Christ  Church  on  Monday  morning  next. 

Christ  Churcu,  Monday.,  October  12?A,  1789. 

The  Convention  met,'  and  it  being  represented  that  convenient 
apartments  might  be  had  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia  for  the 
meeting  of  both  Houses  of  Convention,  during  the  remainder  of 
the  present  session  ; 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  the  College  immediately. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Monday^  October  12thy  1789, 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer  read  prayei-s. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  returning 
the  proposed  litany  and  form  of  morning  prayer,  with  amend- 
ments, and  proposing  a  form  of  public  baptism  of  infants. 

The  committee,  appointed  to  consider  the  amendments  of  the 
House  of  Bishops  to  the  tables  of  lessons  for  Sundays,  &c.  advised 
a  concurrence  of  this  house  in  the  said  amendments. 

Resolved^  That  this  report  be  agreed  to,  and  that  the  said  ta- 
bles of  lessons  be  authenticated. 

The  House  then  took  up  the  amendments  proposed  by  th^ 
House  of  Bishops  to  the  form  of  morning  prayer  and  the  litany, 
some  of  which  were  adopted,  and  others  non-concurred. 

Ordered.,  That  they  be  transmited  to  the  House  of  Bishops, 
with  the  determination  of  this  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
a  form  for  the  solemnization  of  matrimony  ;  also  amendments  to 
the  report  concerning  the  psalms.  These  amendments  were  coa- 
sidered,  some  agreed  to,  and  others  non-concurred. 

Ordered,  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  informed  of  the  said 
determinatioR. 

M 


82 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  propos- 
ing an  order  for  the  visitation  of  the  sick. 

Resolved^  That^  in  future,  this  house  will  meet  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  adjourn  at  two  in  the  afternoon,  to  meet 
again  at  four. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Tuesday ^  October  13/A,  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  read  prayers. 

The  report  on  the  communion  service  was  resumed,  considered 
by  paragraphs,  and  agreed  to. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
a  form  of  burial  service,  and  the  order  in  which  the  psalter  shall 
be  used  ;  and  also  requesting  a  conference  with  this  house  on  the 
proposed  amendments  of  the  morning  prayer  and  litany. 

It  was  agreed  that  this  request  should  be  complied  with,  at  five 
o'clock  this  afternoon.  The  Secretary  was  ordered  to  inform  the 
House  of  Bishops  of  this,  and  he  returned  with  their  concur- 
rence.    Adjourned- 

Four  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

Resolved^  That  the  intended  conference  with  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops be  deferred  to  a  future  time. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  and  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  were  desired  to 
inform  the  House  of  Bishops  of  this  resolution,  and  returned 
with  the  concurrence  of  that  house. 

Six  additional  collects,  reported  by  the  committee  on  the  com- 
munion service,  were  considered  and  agreed  to,  and  with  the 
communion  service,  ordered  to  be  transcribed,  and  transmitted 
to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
the  manner  and  form  of  setting  forth  the  book  of  psalms  in  metre. 

The  committee  on  the  litany.  Sec.  reported  certain  occasional 
prayers  and  thanksgivings,  which,  with  some  few  amendments, 
were  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  transmitted  to  die  House  of  Bi- 
shops. 

The  Convention  then  took  up  the  form  of  public  baptism  of  in- 
fants, which  they  amended,  and  returned  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  following  clause  be  added  to 
the  seventh  canon  of  this  church. 

Unless  it  shall  be  recommended  to  the  Bishop,  by  two-thirds 
of  the  State  Convention  to  which  he  belongs,  to  dispense  with  the 
aforesaid  requisition,  in  whole  or  in  part ;  which  recommenda- 
tion shall  only  be  for  good  causes  moving  thereunto,  and  shall  be 
in  the  following  words,  with  the  signature  of  the  names  of  the  ma- 
jority of  such  Convention  :— — "  We^  whose  names  are  under-writ- 


83 

**  ten^  are  of  opmion^  that  the  dispensing  with  the  k7ioxvledge  cf 
*'  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages  (or  either  of  them^  as  the  case 
*'  mat/  be  J  in  the  examination  of  A..  H.for  holy  orders^  will  be  of 
*^use  to  the  church  of  xvhich  xve  are  the  Convention,  in  consideration 
"  of  other  qualifications  of  the  said  A.  B.  for  the  gospel  7ninistry.''^ 
The  above  clause  being  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  received 
their  concurrence.     Adjourned. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Wednesday,  October  14th,  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  read  prayers. 

The  form  for  the  solemnization  of  matrimony  was  considered, 
and  amended,  and  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  inform- 
ing, that  they  had  passed  the  form  of  public  baptism  of  infants, 
with  the  amendments  of  this  house,  and  proposing  a  form  for  the 
private  baptism  of  infants,  and  a  form  of  baptism  of  those  of  riper 
years.     Adjourned, 

Four  o^clock,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  burial  service  was  considered,  amended,  and  transmitted  to 
the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with 
amendments  to  the  communion  service,  and  with  the  form  for  the 
solemnization  of  matrimony,  which  they  had  passed,  as  amended 
by  this  house. 

The  amendments  to  the  communion  service  were  considered, 
amended,  and  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops ;  and  the  ser- 
vice, thus  amended,  was,  with  the  six  additional  collects,  assent- 
ed to,  and  returned  by  the  said  house.     Adjourned. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Thursday,  October  ISt/ij  1789. 

The  House  met 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Pilmore  read  prayers. 

The  order  in  which  the  psalter  shall  be  read  was  considered, 
and  agreed  to. 

The  House  then  went  into  a  conference  with  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, which  continued  till  two  o'clock.     Adjourned. 

Four  d* clock,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  constitution,  as  copied  in  the  book  of  records,  was  read 
and  compared,  and,  having  received  an  alteration  as  to  the  time 
of  the  future  meetings  of  the  Convention,  was  signed  by  both 
houses  of  Convention. 

The  cammittee  on  the  canons  reported  certain  canons,  which, 
being  considered  and  amended,  were  ratified,  and  transmitted  t9 
the  House  of  Bishops. 


84 

The  House  again  went  into  a  conference  with  the  House  6f 
Bishops,  in  the  course  of  which  it  was  agreed,  that  the  book  of 
common  prayer  to  be  set  forth  by  this  Convention,  shall  be  in  use 
from  the  1st  day  of  October,  1790. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
a  catechism,  confirmation,  r^'  d  forms  of  prayer  for  famihes,  and 
containing  their  assent  to  the  burial  service,  except  the  first  ru- 
bric ;  in  their  amendment  to  which  this  House  concurred. 

Dr.  Parker  obtained  leave  of  absence  after  to-morrow  noon. 

On  motion,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  were  appointed  a  committee,  to  report  what 
farther  measures  are  necessary  to  perpetuate  the  succession  of 
Bishops  in  Americiv     Adjourned. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Friday^  October  ISt/iy  1789. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  read  prayers. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  canons,  with*an  amend- 
ment, in  which  this  House  concurred  ;  and  they  also  proposed  a 
title  page  to  the  book  of  common  prayer,  which  was  read,  and 
passed. 

The  canons  now  passed,  together  with  those  passed  at  the  last 
session,  being  collected  into  one  body,  and  ratified  by  both  Houses, 
were  directed  to  be  entered  in  the  Book  of  Records,  and  printed 
with  the  Journal  of  this  Convention. 

[See  the  Appendix.] 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Bend  proposed  a  table  of  proper  psalms  for 
certain  days,  which  was  passed  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  preface  and  table  of  contents  were  sent  to  this  House  by  the 
House  of  Bishops,  which,  with  their  concurrence,  were  referred 
to  the  committee  to  be  appointed  to  superintend  the  publication  of 
the  book  about  to  be  issued  by  the  Convention. 

Tables  for  finding  the  Holy  Days,  and  tables  of  the  moveable 
and  immoveable  feasts,  which  had  been  proposed  by  the  House 
of  Bishops,  were  passed. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  order  of  evening  prayer, 
with  an  amendment,  to  which  this  House  agreed. 

They  also  transmitted  to  this  House  amendments  to  the  occa- 
sional prayers  and  thanksgivings,  and  a  form  for  the  churching  of 
women,  a  form  of  thanksgiving  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  addi- 
tional prayers  for  the  visitation  of  the  sick,  and  a  form  of  ratifica- 
tion of  the  Prayer  Book. 

The  amendments  of  the  House  of  Bishops  to  the  occasional 
Jirayers  and  thanksgivings  were  considered,  and  assented  to. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  their 
assent  to  the  table  of  proper  psalms ;  and  proposing  a  form  of 
prayer  to  be  used  at  sea,  and  a  form  of  prayer  for  the  visitation 
of  prisoners  ;  also  an  order  for  the,  communion  af  the  sick. 


85 

The  manner  and  form  of  setting  forth  the  book  of  psalms  in 
metre  was  considered,  amended,  and  returned  to  the  House  or 
iJishops. 

The  additional  prayers  for  the  visitation  of  the  sick  were  con- 
sidered, and  passed  with  an  amendment,  to  which  the  IJousc  of 
Bishops  agreed. 

The  order  for  the  visitation,  and  the  order  for  the  communion 
of  the  sick,  were  agreed  to. 

The  form  of  the  ratification  of  the  book  of  common  prayer  was 
agreed  to. 

The  House  of  Bishops  proposed,  for  the  adoption  of  this  House, 
articles  of  religion,  which,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  were  referred  to  a  future  Convention, 

The  form  of  the  visitation  of  prisoners  was  then  passed. 

The  form  of  thanksgiving  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth  was  as- 
sented to  ;  also  the  form  of  prayer  to  be  used  at  sea. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  their 
assent  to  the  amendments  proposed  to  the  manner  and  form  Ox 
setting  forth  the  book  of  psalms  in  metre. 

The  order  for  the  administration  of  baptism  of  those  of  riper 
years  was  considered,  and  passed ;  also,  the  form  of  private  bap- 
tism of  infants. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing  that 
the  Ash  Wednesday  service,  as  set  forth  in  the  proposed  book, 
should  be  adopted,  instead  of  the  commination  formerly  used ;  to 
which  the  House  of  Bishops  assented. 

The  confirmation,  and  the  forms  of  family  morning  and  even- 
ing prayer,  were  considered,  and  adopted. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
an  alteration  in  the  litany,  which  was  sent  back,  with  an  amend- 
ment, in  which  the  House  of  Bishops  concurred. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  their 
assent  to  the  morning  prayer^  and  the  report  on  the  psalms. 

Adjourned. 

Four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  catechism  was  considered,  amended,  and  transmitted  to  the 
House  of  Bishops. 

T.>e  form  for  the  churching  of  women  was  agreed  to;  and  it 
was  resolved,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  that 
the  thanksgiving  in  the  said  form  should  be  inserted  among  the 
occasional  thanksgivings,  and  used,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Mi- 
nister, instead  of  the  whole  office. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  Rev.  Dr.  Ma- 
gaw.  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Mr.  Hopkinson,  and  Mr.  Coxe,  be  a 
committee,  to  superintend  the  printing  of  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  as  set  forth  by  this  Convention,  and  that  they  advise  with 
any  person  or  persons  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  House  of 
Bishops  for  the  same  purpose. 


86 

Resolvifd,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  superintend  the 
printing  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  &c.  be  instructed  to  have 
the  selections  of  psalms,  set  forth  by  this  church,  printed  imme- 
diately before  the  psalter ;  and,  besides  a  full  and  complete  edi- 
tion of  the  said  book,  printed  in  folio  or  octavo,  or  in  both,  to 
have  an  edition  published,  to  contain  only  the  parts  in  general  use 
and  the  collects  of  the  day,  with  references  to  the  epistles  and 
gospels. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  their 
assent  to  the  catechism,  as  amended ;  and  with  information  that 
the  Right  Reverend  Bishop  "White  consents  to  advise  with  the 
committee  appointed  by  this  House  to  superintend  the  printing  of 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  &c. 

Mr.  Tench  Coxe  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Convention. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  a  standing  committee, 
to  act  dining  the  recess  of  the  Convention  :  The  Reverend  Dr. 
"William  Smith,  ex  officio,  Reverend  Dr.  Parker,  Reverend  Mr. 
Hubbard,  Reverend  Dr.  Beach,  Mr.  Harrison,  Reverend  Mr. 
Ogden,  Mr.  Jones,  Reverend  Dr.  Blackwell,  Mr.  Hopkinson, 
Reverend  Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Sykes,  Reverend  Mr.  Bisset,  Mr.  Car- 
michael.  Reverend  Mr.  Bracken,  Mr.  Andrews,  Reverend  Dr. 
Robert  Smith,  and  Mr.  Brisbane. 

Resolved^  That  this  committee,  or  a  majority  of  them,  have 
power  to  recommend  to  the  Bishops  the  calling  of  special  meet- 
ings of  the  Convention,,  when  they  think  it  necessary. 

Resolved^  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  House,  that  the  Bishops 
have  a  right,  when  they  think  it  necessary,  to  call  special  Con- 
ventions. 

The  committee  on  the  means  of  perpetuating  the  Episcopal  suc- 
cession in  the  "United  States  of  America,  made  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  read  and  adopted,  viz. 

The  committee  on  the  means  of  perpetuating  the  Episcopal  suc- 
cession in  these  United  States,  are  of  opinion, — 

That  the  standing  committee,  which,  agreeably  to  the  constitu- 
tion, is  chosen,  as  above,  to  act  during  the  recess  of  the  General 
Convention,  ought,  in  the  name  of  the  Convention,  to  recommend 
for  consecration  any  person,  who  shall  appear  to  them  to  be  duly 
elected  and  qualified  for  the  episcopal  office  :  That  should  any 
person,  elected  and  qualified  as  above,  be  proposed,  and  should 
the  answer  from  the  English  Archbishops  be  favourable  to  the  in- 
tended plan  of  consecrating  by  the  Right  Rev.  the  Bishops  Sea- 
bury,  White  and  Provoost,  the  committee  shall  write  to  the  said 
three  Bishops,  intimating  that  it  is  the  will  and  desire  of  the  Ge- 
neral Convention,  that  such  consecration  should,  as  soon  as  con- 
venient, take  place :  That  should  the  answer  from  England  be 
unfavourable,  or  any  obstacle  occur,  by  the  death  of  either  of  the 
three  Bishops,  or  otherwise,  the  said  committee  shall  recomiiiend 
any  Bishop  elect  to  England,  for  consecration. 

Resolved^  That,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Bishops, 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Convention  be  in  the  city  of  New  York. 


87 

Resolved^  That  the   Right  Rev.  Bishop  Seabury  be   requested 
to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next  Convention. 

'Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 

Francis  Hopkinson,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL 

OF 

THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

In  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America^  held  at  the  State  House^  in  the  city  of  Phi- 
ladelphia^ on  Monday^  the  5th  day  of  October,  hi  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1789. 

AFTER  divine  service  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, the  House  of  Bishops  met  in  the  committee  room  of  the 
honorable  House  of  Assembly. 

PRESENT. 

The  Right  Reverend  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.  and 
The  Right  Reverend  William  White,  D.  D. 

The  folloxving  Rules  are  agreed  07i,  and  established,  for  the  ga- 

vernme7it  of  this  House,  ■  viz. : 

1st.  The  senior  Bishop  present  shall  be  the  President ; -seniori- 
ty to  be  reckoned  from  the  dates  of  the  letters  of  consecration. 

2d.  This  House  will  authenticate  its  acts  by  the  signing  of  the 
names  of,  at  least,  the  majority  of  its  members. 

3d.  There  shall  be  a  Secretary  to  this  House. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  it  is  now  established  as  a  temporary 
rule,  that  this  House  will  attend  divine  service,  during  the  ses- 
sion, in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson,  A.  M.  is  appointed  the  Secretary 
of  this  House. 

This  House  went  into  a  review  of  the  morning  and  evening 
prayer,  and  prepared  some  proposals  on  that  subject. 

Adjourned  till  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

State  House,  Tuesday,  October  eth,  17&% 

After  divine  service, 

Adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  on  Thursday  morning. 


88 

State  House,  Thursday ^  October  ^th^  15^89^ 

Divine  service  being  over,' 

This  House  went  into  the  consideration  of  the  litany,  and  of 
the  other  parts  of  the  service  connected  with  the  morning  and 
evening  prayer,  and  completed  their  proposals  on  that  subjjct, 
excepting  a  few  particulars,  which  they  have  noted  as  queries  for 
their  further  consideration- 

The  House  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  col- 
lects, epistles  and  gospels  ;  and  from  them  to  the  order  for  the 
administration  of  the  holy  communion;  and  having  prepared  their 
proposals  on  these  parts  of  the  service, 

Adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

State  House,  Friday^  October 'ith^  1789. 

Divine  service  being  over, 

The  House  went  into  a  review  of  the  service  for  the  public  bap- 
tism of  infants,  and  prepared  proposals  on  that  subject. 

The  House  then  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bend,  informing,  that  they  had  prepared  tables  of  lessons  for  Sun- 
days, and  other  holy  days,  to  be  laid  before  this  House,  which 
were  accordingly  presented. 

This  House  went  immediately  into  the  consideration  of  the 
above,  during  which  there  was  received  a  message  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robert 
Smith  and  Robert  Andrews,  Esquire,  with  information,  that  they 
had  prepared  a  form  of  morning  prayer,  to  be  laid  before  this 
House ;  which  was  accordingly  presented. 

The  House  then  proceeded  in  their  examination  of  the  tables 
of  lessons,  and  having  prepared  some  amendments  of  the  same, 

Adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

State  House,  Scrturday^  October  lOthy  1789. 

After  divine  service. 

The  House  completed  the  instrument  of  amendments  of  the  ta* 
bles  of  lessons,  and  sent  the  same,  by  their  Secretary,  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

This  House  then  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bend,  with  information,  that  they  had  prepared  proposals  in 
regard  to  the  calendar,  and  in  regard  to  the  collects,  epistles  and 
gospels ;  which  were  accordingly  presented. 

The  House  then  went  into  the  consideration  of  the  proposed 
form  of  morning  prayer,  during  which  they  received  a  message 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Beach  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  with  inforraation,  that  they  liud 
prepared  the  litany  to  be  laid  before  this  House ;  which  was  ac- 
cordingly presented. 


89 

■ITie  House  then  went  on  with  the  consideration  of  the  menu 
ing  prayer,  when  they  received  another  message  from  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith 
and  the  Rev.  Dr,  Mooie,  with  information,  that  they  had  pre- 
pared a  selection  of  psalms  ;  which  was  laid  before  the  Jfouse. 

The  House,  after  preparing  their  amendments  of  the  morning 
prayer  for  engrossing,  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  pro- 
posed litany,  and  prepared  their  amendments  of  that  service,  also, 
for  engrossing. 

They  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  proposed  ca- 
lendar, and  having  assented  to  the  same,  returned  it  bv  their 
Secretary. 

The  House  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  proposals  respect- 
ing the  collects,  episdes  and  gospels,  and  having  prepared  their 
amendments,  sent  them,  by  their  Secretary,  to  the  Ilouse  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies. 

A  message  was  received  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  rspresenting,  that  if  this 
House  were  prepared  to  originate  any  parts  of  the  service,  it 
would  be  agreeable  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to 
receive  them  on  Monday  morning. 

Accordingly  the  Secretary  is  desired  to  prepare  a  copy  of  the 
proposed  form  of  public  baptism  of  infants. 

The  public  service  re*quiring  the  use  of  the  room  where  this 
House  sit, 

Adjourned  to  the  apparatus  room  of  the  College,  there  to  meet 
on  Monday  morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Monday^  October  i2fh,  1789. 
Divine  service  being  over. 

The  House  of  Bishops  sent,  by  their  Secretary,  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  their  amendments  of  the  morning 
prayer,  and  of  the  litany,  together  with  the  alterations,  originated 
in  this  House,  of  the  ministration  of  the  public  Ixiptism  of  infants. 
This  House  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  informing  that  they  agree 
to  the  amendments  proposed  in  regard  to  the  tables  of  lessons  for 
Sundays,  and  other  holy  days,  excepting  the  fourth  amendment, 
on  vhich  they  desire  a  conference. 

This  House  withdrew  the  said  fourth  amendment,  and  desired 
Dr.  Parker  to  report  the  same  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

J'his  House  then  prepared  alterations  of  tlie  form  of  scftemni- 
zation  ot  matrimony,  which  were  accordingly  reported  by  their 
Secretary  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  to  this 
House,  by  the  Hon.  Mr.  Hopkinson,  their  amendments  of  the 
morning  prayer  and  litany,  with  their  concurrence  in  some  arti- 
•■les,and  non-e.oncurrenrc  in  others. 

N 


90 

This  House  prepared  alterations  of  the  order  for  the  visitation 
of  the  sick,  which  were  accordingly  reported  to  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  to  this 
House  the  proposed  amendments  of  the  selection  of  psalms,  with 
Jheir  concurrence  of  some  articles,  and  non-concurrence  of  others. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Tuesday y  October  13tA,  l/SQ. 

Divine  service  being  over. 

The  House  of  Bishops  proceeded  to  prepare—the  order  how 
the  psalter  is  appointed  to  be  read — the  order  how  the  rest  of  the 
holy  scriptures  is  appointed  to  be  read — and  the  order  for  the  burial 
of  the  dead — which  being  prepared,  were  sent  by  the  Secretary  to 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  together  with  a  message, 
requesting  a  conference  with  that  House  on  the  amendments  of 
the  proposed  morning  prayer  and  litany,  at  such  time,  and  in  such 
manner,  as  they  shall  agree  upon. 

The  House  then  proceeded  to  prepare  a  commination  service, 
&c.  when  they  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  by  their  Secretary,  informing,  that,  agreeably 
to  the  request  of  this  House,  they  had  appointed  five  o'clock  this 
afternoon  for  a  conference  on  the  proposed  morning  prayer  and 
litany. 

The  room  in  which  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
meet  was  mutually  agreed  on,  as  most  convenient  for  the  business. 

Adjourned  till  four  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Four  o'clock^  P,  M. 

The  House  of  Bishops  received  a  message  from  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Moore,  with  information,  that,  if  agreeable  to  this  House, 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  would  postpone  the  con- 
ference, agreed  to  be  held  this  afternoon,  until  further  communi- 
cation ;  with  which  this  House  concurred. 

This  House  then  prepared  the  form  and  manner  of'setting  forth 
the  psalms  in  metre,  and  sent  the  same,  by  their  Secretary,  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  ;  together  with  the  form  of 
commination,  &c.  and  tables  of  moveable  and  immoveable  feasts, 
with  tables  for  finding  the  holy  days. 

The  House  then  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  with  information, 
that  they  had  to  propose  prayers  and  thanksgivings  for  several  oc- 
casions ;  which  were  accordingly  presented. 

Adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Wednesday y  October  \4:thy  1789. 
Divine  service  being  over, 


91 

This  House  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  with  amendments  of 
the  alterations  of  the  burial  service,  originated  in  this  House. 

The  amtndments  being  concurred  in,  the  alterations  were 
passed,  and  returned. 

This  House  then  originated  alterations  of  the  services  for  pri- 
vate baptism,  and  for  the  baptism  of  adults,  and  sent  the  same,  by 
their  Secretary,  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  by 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Hopkinson,  was  received  by  this  House,  which  ac- 
companied amendments  of  the  alterations  of  the  marriage  service, 
originated  in  this  House ;  which  amendments  being  concurred  in, 
the  alterations  were  passed,  and  returned. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties a  proposed  communion  service,  and  made  amendments. 

Adjourned  till  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  House  originated  alterations  of  the  catechism — of  the  or- 
der  of  confirmation — and  a  form  of  family  prayer — and  sent  them 
to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  the  amendments 
of  the  communion  service  ;  which  last  were  concurred  in,  except 
one,  which  being  withdrawn  by  this  House,  the  service  was 
passed,  and  returned. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

College  of  Philadelphia,   Thursday,  October  15th,  1789, 

Divine  service  being  over, 

This  House  had  returned  to  them  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  the  order  how  the 
psalter  is  appointed  to  be  read,  and  the  order  how  the  rest  of  the 
holy  scripture  is  appointed  to  be  read,  with  amendments  ;  all  of 
which  were  concurred  in,  except  one,  which  was  left  for  the  con- 
ference, into  which  the  house  now  went,  agreeably  to  a  former 
appointment,  and  in  which  they  were  employed  during  the  morn- 
ing of  this  day. 

Adjourned  till  four  o'clock  this  afternoon- 

Four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

This  House  originated,  and  proposed  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies — alterations  of  the  title  page — a  form  of  ratifi- 
cation of  the  Book  ol  Common  Prayer — a  table  of  contents — a 
form  or  manner  of  printing  the  former  preface — and  those  called 
*' Of  the  Service  of  the  Church" — and"  Of  Ceremonies"— these, 
with  the  form  of  thanksgiving  of  women  after  child-birth,  before 
prepared — and  the  amendments  of  the  occasional  prayers — were 
sent  by  the  Secretary  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 
after  which  the  two  houses  proceeded  in  their  conference- 
Adjourned  tiH  to-morrow  morning,  aine  o'clock. 


4^2 

College,  Friday^  October  iSth,  ITSy. 

Divine  service  being  over, 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  I)e» 
pLities,  by  Dr.  Blackwell,  canons,  as  reported  by  a  committee  ap- 
pointed at  the  former  session. 

This  House  acceded  to  the  Canons  proposed,  except  the  amend- 
ment of  one,  in  consequence  of  which  it  was  proposed  to  withdraw 
the  canon,  which  being  acceded  to,  this  House  passed  the  canons. 
,  This  House  received,  by  Robert  Andrews,  Esq.  the  proposed 
order  for  evening  prayer,  of  which  they  made  an  amendment,  by 
proposing  the  insertion  of  two  hymns,  as  alternatives  to  the 
psalms  already  in  the  service  ;  which  being  agreed  to,  the  order 
for  evening  prayer  was  passed. 

The  House  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  a  table  of  proper 
psalms  ;  which  was  passed. 

The  House  received,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  and  Robert  An- 
drews, Esq.  the  table  of  contents,  and  the  other  initial  parts  of  the 
book  of  Common  prayer,  w  ith  a  proposal,  that  they  should  be  re- 
fen-ed  to  a  committee,  to  sit  in  the  recess  of  this  Convention ; 
which  was  agreed  to. 

The  House  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr,  Ogden  and  Rev.  Mr* 
Bend,  amendments  of  the  form  of  ratification  of  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer,  and  also  the  form  of  churching  of  women,  which 
are  to  lay  over  for  consideration. 

This  House  originated,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
L.:\y  Deputies,  as  follow — a  proposed  ratification  of  the  thirty- 
nine  articles,  with  an  exception  in"  regard  to  the  thirty-sixth  and 
thirty-seventh  articles— a  form  for  the  communion  of  the  sick — a 
form  lor  the  visitation  of  prisoners — a  form  for  thanksgiving  for 
the  fruits  of  the  earth — and  prayers  to  be  inserted  in  the  visitation 
of  the  sick. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned,  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bend,  the  j)roposed  form  of  printing  the  psalms  in  metre, 
with  hymns,  and  proposed  amendments  of  the  same,  which  were 
agreed  to,  and  the  whole  passed. 

This  House  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  the  visitatii)n  office 
and  additional  prayers,  which  being  concurred  in,  the  whole  were 
passed ;  as  was  also  the  form  of  the  ratification  of  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer. 

This  House  received,  by  Robert  Andrews,  Esq.  the  ratification 
of  the  articles,  with  a  proposal  for  postponement,  which  was  agreed 
to,  the  proposal  for  the  communion  of  the  sick  being  first  present- 
ed and  passed. 

This  House  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  a  proposal  for 
retaining  the  service  for  Ash-Wednesday,  as  in  the  proposed  book, 
with  one  alteration,  which  was  agreed  to. 

This  Jiouse  returned  the  occasional  prayers,  passed. 

The  House  then  passed  the  morning  and  evening  prayer,  tlu 


93 

litany,  the  selection  of  the  psalms,  and' the  orders  how  the  psalter 
and  the  rest  ol"  the  holy  scripture  is  appointed  to  be  read. 

Four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Houst?  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De" 
puties,  amendments  of  the  catechism;  which  being  agreed  to,  the 
service  was  passed. 

This  House  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties,, the  office  for  the  churching  of  women,  and  the  occasional 
prayers,  the  amendments  mutually  proposed  having  been  agreed 
to. 

It  is  understood,  that  the  services  originated  in  this  House,  and 
not  returned  with  amendments,  have  been  agreed  to. 

'I'his  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  message,  informing,  that  they  had  appointed  a  comnuttee, 
to  join  with  any  person  to  be  appointed  by  this  House,  in  setting 
forth  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer.  In  consequence  of  which, 
the  Right  Reverend  Bishop  White  agrees  to  assist  the  committee 
in  preparing  the  book  for  publication. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  signified  to  this  House, 
that  they  were  about  to  adjourn,  to  meet,  the  next  stated  time,  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  having  previously  appointed  a  committee 
to  act,  if  necessary,  in  their  recess.  On  which  this  House  ad- 
journed to  the  same  time  and  place. 

Signed  as  the  Journal  of  the  Conveiition,  the  sixteenth  daij 
oj  October,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine. 

SAMUEL  SEABURY,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  Con- 
necticut, President. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.   D.  Pennsylvania 

Attested.     Joseph  Clarkson,  Secretary. 


APPENDIX. 

CAXONS, 

For  the  Government  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  iu  the 
United  States  of  America^  agreed  on  and  ratified  in  the  General 
Convention  of  said  Church,  held  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  from 
the  29th  day  of  September  to  the  16th  day  ^of  October,  1789,  in- 
olusive. 


Canon  T.     Of  the  Orders  of  the  Ministers  in  this  Church. 

IN  this  church  there  shall  always  be  three  orders  in  the 
nistry,  viz.  Bishops,  Priests  and  Deai-ons. 


94 
Canon  II.  Certificates  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  bishops  electa 

Every  Bishop  elect,  before  his  consecration,  shall  produce  to 
the  Bishops,  to  whom  he  is  presented  for  that  holy  office,  from 
the  Convention  by  whom  he  is  elected  a  Bishop,  and  from  the- 
General  Convention,  or  a  committee  of  that  body,  to  be  appointed 
to  act  in  their  recess,  certificates,  respectively,  in  the  following 
words,  viz. 

Testimony  from  the  members  of  the  Convention  in  the  state  from 
zvhence  the  persori  is  recommended  for  consecration, 

WE,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conterred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion  without  partiality  or  affec- 
tion, do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B.  is 
not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  either 
for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life ;  and  that  we  do 
not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime, 
for  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office.  We 
do  moreover  jointly  and  severally  declare,  that,  having  personally 
known  him  for  three  years  last  past,  we  do  in  our  consciences  be- 
lieve him  to  be  of  such  sufficiency  ingood  learning,  such  sound- 
ness in  the  faith,  and  of  such  virtuous  and  pure  manners  and  godly 
conversation,  that  he  is  apt  and  meet  to  exercise  the  office  of  a 
Bishop,  to  the  honor  of  God,  and  the  edifying  of  his  church,  and 
to  be  an  wholesome  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ. 

Testimony  from  the  General  Convention* 

WE,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how 
important  it  is  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be 
unworthily  conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  our  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion,  without  partiality  or 
affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B, 
is  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  either 
for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life ;  and  that  we  do  not 
know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime,  on  ac- 
count of  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office, 
but  that  he  hath,  as  we  believe,  led  his  life,  for  three  years  last 
past,  piously,  soberly  and  honestly. 

Canon  III.  Of  Episcopal  Visitation, 

Every  Bishop  in  this  ch"rch  shall,  as  often  as  may  be  conveni- 
ent, visit  the  churches  within  his  diocese  or  district,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  examining  the  state  of  his  church,  inspecting  the  beha- 
viour of  the  clergy,  and  administering  the  apostolic  right  of  con- 
firmation. 


95 

Canon  IV.  Of  the  age  of  those  rvho  are  to  be  ofdained  or  conte* 

crated. 

Deacon's  orders  shall  not  be  conferred  on  any  person  until  he 
shall  be  twenty-one  years  old,  nor  Priest's  orders  on  any  one  until 
he  shall  be  tweniy-four  years  old  ;  and,  except  on  urgent  occasions, 
unless  he  hath  been  a  Deacon  one  year. — No  man  shall  be  conse- 
crated a  Bishop  of  this  church  until  he  shall  be  thirty  years  old. 

Canon  V.  Of  the  Titles  of  those  xpho  are  to  be  ordained. 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  either  Deacon  or  Priest,  unless  he 
shall  produce  a  satisfactory  certificate  from  some  church,  parish 
or  congregation,  that  he  is  engaged  with  them,  and  that  they  will 
receive  him  as  their  Minister,  and  allow  him  a  reasonable  support; 
or  unless  he  be  engaged  as  a  professor,  tutor,  or  instructer  of  youth, 
in  some  college,  academy,  or  general  seminary  of  learning,  duly 
incorporated;  or  unless  the  standing  committee  of  the  church  in 
the  state,  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained,  shall  certify  to  the  Bi- 
shop their  full  belief  and  expectation  that  he  will  be  received  and 
settled  as  a  Pastor,  by  some  one  of  the  vacant  churches  in  that  state. 

Canon  VI.   The  Testimonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those 
ivho  are  to  be  ordained. 

Every  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  be  recommended  to  the 
Bishop  by  a  standing  committee  of  the  convention  ot  the  state 
wherein  he  resides,  which  recommendation  shall  be  signed  by  the 
names  of  a  majority  of  the  committee,  and  shall  be  in  the  following 
words : 

"WE,  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  testify,  that  A.  B. 
for  the  space  of  three  years  last  past,  hath  lived  piously,  soberly 
and  honestly :  Nor  hath  he  at  any  time,  as  far  as  we  know  or  be- 
lieve, written,  taught  or  held,  any  thing  contrary  to  the  doctrine 
or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  And  moreover 
we  think  him  a  person  worthy  to  be  admitted  to  the  sacred  order 

of .     In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands. 

Dated  the day  of in  the  year  of  our  Lord  — — — ; 

But,  before  a  standing  committee  of  any  state  shall  proceed 
to  recommend  any  candidate,  as  aforesaid,  to  the  Bishop,  such 
candidate  shall  produce  testimonials  of  his  good  morals  and 
orderly  conduct  for  three  years  last  past,  from  the  minister  and 
vestry  of  the  parish  where  he  has  resided,  or  from  the  vestry  alone, 
if  the  parish  be  vacant ;  a  publication  of  his  intention  to  apply  for 
holy  orders  having  been  previously  made  by  such  minister  or  ves- 
try. In  every  state,  in  which  there  is  no  standing  committee,  such, 
committee  shall  be  appointed  at  its  next  ensuing  Convention  ;  and 
in  the  mean  time,  every  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  be  recom- 
mended according  to  the  regulations  or  usage  of  the  church  in  each 
state,  and  the  requisitiotis  of  the  Bishop  to  whom  he  applies* 


Canon  Vll.  Oj  the  leaniing  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church  until  he  shall  have 
satisfied  the  Bishop  and  the  two  Presbyters,  by  whom  he  shall  be 
examined,  that  he  is  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  the  original  Greeks  and  can  give  an  account  ot"  his  faith 
in  the  Latin  tongue,  either  in  writing  or  otherwise,  as  may  be  re- 
quired ;  unless  it  shall  be  recommended  to  the  IJishop,  by  two- 
thirds  of  the  State  Convention  to  which  he  belongs,  to  dispense 
with  the  aforesaid  requisition,  in  whole  or  in  part;  which  recom- 
mendation shall  only  be  for  good  causes  moving  thereto,  and  shall 
be  in  the  following  words,  with  the  signature  of  the  names  of  the 
majority  of  such  Convention. 

WK,  Avhose  names  are  underwritten,  are  of  opinion,  that  the 
dispensing  with  the  knowledge  of  the  liatin  and  (ireek  languages 
(or  of  either  of  them,  as  the  case  may  be)  in  the  examination  of 
A.  B.  for  noly  orders,  will  be  of  use  to  the  church  of  which  we 
are  the  Convention^  in  consideration  of  other  qualifications  of  the 
said  A.  B.  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

Can'on  Vlll.   Of  the  stated  thnes  of  ordination. 

Agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church,  the  stated 
times  of  ordination  shall  be  on  the  Sundays  following  the  Ember 
weeks  ;  viz.  the  second  Sunday  in  Lent,  the  Feast  of  TrinUy, 
and  the  Sundays  after  the  Wednesdays  following  the  fourteenth 
day  of  September,  and  the  thirteenth  of  December. 

Canon  IX.    Of  those  xvho^  having  been  ordained  by  foreign  Bi- 
shopSy  settle  in  this  Church, 

No  person,  not  a  member  of*  this  church,  who  shall  profess  to 
be  episcopally  ordained,  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  therein, 
until  he  sliali  have  exhibited  to  the  vestry  of  the  church,  in  which 
he  shall  oft'er  to  officiate,  a  certificate,  signed  by  the  Bishop  of 
the  diocese  or  district,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  by  ttiree 
clergymen  of  the  standing  committee  of  the  Convention  of  that 
state,  that  his  letters  of  orders  are  authentic,  and  given  by  some 
Bishop  whose  authority  is  ackno\\dedged  by  this  church,  and  also 
satisfactory  evidence  of  his  moral  character. 

Canon  X.  Of  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

Every  minister  shall,  before  all  sermons  and  lectures,  use  the 
hook  of  common  prayer,  as  the  same  shall  be  set  forth  and  estab- 
lished by  the  authority  of  this,  or  some  future  General  Conven- 
tion J  and  until  such  establishment  of  an  uniform  book  of  common 
prayer  in  this  church,  every  minister  shall  read  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer  directed  to  be  used  by  the  Convention  of  the  church 
in  the  state  in  which  he  resides ;  and  no  other  prayer  shall  be 
used  besides  those  contained  in  the  said  book. 


Canon  XI.     Of  the  duty  of  Ministers^  in   regard  to  Episcopal 

Visitat'ioji, 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  ministers  to  prepare  children  and  others 
for  the  holy  ordinance  of  confirmation.  And  on  notice  being  re- 
ceived from  the  Bishop  of  his  intention  to  visit  any  church,  which 
notice  shall  be  at  least  one  month  before  the  intended  visitation, 
the  minister  shall  be  ready  to  present,  for  confirmation,  those 
who  shall  have  been  previously  instructed  for  the  same  ;  and  shall 
deliver  to  the  Bishop  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  presented. 

And  at  every  visitation  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  minister,  and 
of  the  church  wardens,  to  give  information  to  tlie  Bishop  of  the 
state  of  the  congregation  ;  under  such  heads  as  shall  have  been 
committed  to  them  in  the  notice  given  as  aforesaid. 

And  further,  the  ministers  and  church  wardens  of  such  con- 
gregations as  cannot  be  conveniently  visited  in  any  year,  shall 
bring  or  send  to  the  Bishop,  at  the  stated  meeting  of  the  Con- 
vention of  the  diocese  or  district,  information  of  the  state  of  the 
congregation,  under  such  heads  as  shall  have  been  committed  to 
them,  at  least  one  month  before  the  meeting  of  the  Convention. 

Canon  XII,  N'otorious  Crimes  and  Scandals  to  be  censured. 

If  any  persons  within  this  church  offend  their  brethren  by  any 
wickedness  of  life,  such  persons  shall  be  repelled  from  the  holy 
communion,  agreeably  to  the  rubric,  and  may  be  further  pro- 
ceeded against,  to  the  depriving  of  them  of  all  privileges  of  church 
membership ;  according  to  such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  pro- 
vided, either  by  the  General  Convention,  or  by  the  Conventions 
in  the  different  states. 

Canon  XIII.  Sober  Conversation  required  in  Ministers, 

No  ecclesiastical  persons  shall,  other  than  for  their  honest  ne- 
cessities, resort  to  taverns,  or  other  places  most  liable  to  be  abus- 
ed to  licentiousness.  Further,  the)'  shall  not  give  themselves  to 
any  base  or  servile  labour,  or  to  drinking  or  riot,  or  to  the  spend- 
ing of  their  time  idly.  And  if  any  offend  in  the  above,  they  shall 
be  liable  to  the  ecclesiastical  censure  of  admonition,  or  suspen- 
sion, or  degradation,  as  the  nature  of  the  case  may  require,  and 
according  to  such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  provided,  either  by 
the  General  Convention,  or  by  the  Conventions  jIn  the  different 
states. 

Canon  XIV.  Of  the  due  celebration  of  Sundays. 

All  manner  of  persons  within  this  church  shall  celebrate  and 
keep  the  Lord's  day,  commonly  called  Sunday,  in  hearing  the 
word  of  God  read  and  taught,  in  private  and  public  prayer,  in 
other  exercises  of  devotion,  and  in  acts  of  charity,  using  all  godly 
and  sober  conversation. 

O 


98 

Canon  XV.  Ministers  tQ  keep  a  Register. 

Every  minister  of  this  church  shall  keep  a  register  of  baptisms, 
marriages  and  funerals  within  his  cure,  agreeably  to  such  rules 
as  may  be  provided  by  the  ecclesiastical  authority  where  his  cure 
lies  ;  and  if  none  such  be  provided,  then  in  such  a  manner,  as, 
in  his  discretion,  he  shall  think  best  suited  to  the  uses  of  such  a 
register. 

And  the  intention  of  the  register  of  baptisms  is  hereby  declar- 
ed to  be,  as  for  other  good  uses,  so  especially  for  the  proving  of 
the  right  of  church  membership  of  those,  who  may  have  been 
admitted  into  this  church  by  the  holy  ordinance  of  baptism. 

And  further,  every  minister  of  this  church  shall,  within  a  rea- 
sonable time  after  the  publication  of  this  canon,  make  out  and 
continue  a  list  of  all  adult  persons  within  his  cure  ;  to  remain  for 
the  use  of  his  successor,  to  be  continued  by  him,  and  by  every 
future  minister  in  the  same  parish. 

And  no  minister  shall  place  on  the  said  list  the  names  of  any 
persons,  -except  of  those,  who,  on  due  enquiry,  he  shall  find  to 
have  been  baptised  in  this  church  ;  or  who,  having  been  other- 
wise baptised,  shall  have  been  received  into  this  church,  either 
by  the  holy  rite  of  confirmation,  or  by  receiving  the  holy  commu- 
nion, or  by  some  other  joint  act  of  the  parties  and  of  a  minister 
of  this  church ;  whereby  such  persons  shall  have  attached  them- 
selves to  the  same. 

Canqn  XVI,  A  List  to  be  made^  and  published^  of  the  Ministers 

of' this  Church, 

The  secretary  of  tlie  General  Convention  shall  keep  a  register 
of  all  the  clergy  of  this  church  whose  naines  shall  be  delivered  to 

him,  in  the  following  manner  j  that  is  to  say, Kvery  Bishop 

of  this  church,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  that  diocese  or  district,  shall,  at  the  time  of  every  Ge- 
neral Convention,  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  delivered  to  the  secre- 
tary, a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  ministers  of  this  church  in  their 
proper  diocese  or  district,  annexing  the  names  of  their  respective 
cures,  or  ef  their  stations  in  any  colleges  or  other  incorporated 
seminaries  of  learning,  or,  in  regard  to  those  who  have  not  any 
cures  or  such  stations,  their  places  of  residence  only.  And  the 
said  list  shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  published  on  the  Journals 
of  the  General  Convention. 

And  further,  it  is  recon^mended  to  the  several  Bishops  of  this 
church,  and  to  the  several  standing  committees,  that,  during  the 
intervals  between  the  meetings  of  the  General  Convention,  they 
take  such  means  of  notifying  the  admission  of  ministers  among 
them,  as,  in  their  discretion  respectively,  they  shall  think  effec- 
tual to  the  purpose  of  preventing  ignorant  and  unwary  people 
from  being  imposed  on,  by  persons  pretending  to  be  authorised 
ministers  of  this  ichiirch. 


99 

€anon  XVII.  Notice  to  be  given  of  the  Induction  and  dismission 

of  Jlinisters. 

It  is  hereby  required,  that  on  the  induction  of  a  minister  into 
any  church  or  parish,  the  parties  shall  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  de- 
livered to  the  Bishop,  or  to  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese 
or  district,  notice  of  the  same  in  the  following  form,  or  to  this 
effect: 

WE,  the  Church  wardens  (or  in  case  of  an  Assistant  Minis- 
ter, we,  the  Rector  and  Church  wardens)  do  certify  to  the  Right 
Rev.  (naming  the  Bishop)  that  (naming  the  person)  has  been  du- 
ly chosen  Rector  (or  Assistant  Minister,  as  the  case  may  be)  of 
(naming  the  church  or  churches.) 

AVhlch  certificate  shall  be  signed  with  the  names  of  those  who 

certify. 

And  if  the  Bishop,  or  the  standing  committee,  be  satisfied  that 
the  person  so  chosen  is  a  qualified  minister  of  this  church,  he  shall 
transmit  the  said  certificate  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention, 
who  shall  record  it  in  a  book  to  be  kept  by  him  for  that  purpose. 

But  it  the  Bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  not  satisfied  as 
above,  he  or  they  shall,  at  the  instance  of  the  parties,  proceed  to 
enquire  into  the  sufficiency  of  the  person  so  chosen,  according  to 
such  rules  as  may  be  made  in  the  states  respectively,  and  shall 
confirm  or  reject  the  appointment,  as  the  issue  of  that  enquiry 
may  be. 

Passed  October  16,  1789. 

House  of  Bishops^ 
SAMUEL  SEABURY,  Bp.  Connecticut,  President. 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  Pennsylvania. 
Attested.  Joseph  Clarkson,  Secretary. 

House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 
Attested.  Francis  Hopkinson,  Secretary. 

An  Address  to  the  President  of  the  United  States^  published  agree- 
ably to  the  following-  order,  viz  : 

In  Convention,  August  7 th,  1789, 

The  address  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  being  read^ 
and  signed  in  Convention — 

Resolved,  That  the  said  address,  with  the  answer  that  may  be 
?eceived  thereto,  be  printed  in  the  Journals  of  the  adjourned 
meeting  of  this  Convention. 

To  the  President  of  the  United  States* 

Sir, — WEy  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  states  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Penn- 


100 

sylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  iti 
general  Convention  assembled,  beg  leave,  with  the  highest  venera- 
tion and  the  most  animating  national  considerations,  at  the  eai'li- 
est  moment  in  our  power,  to  express  our  cordial  joy  on  your 
election  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  United  States. 

"When  we  contemplate  the  short  but  eventful  history  of  our  na- 
tion ;  when  we  recollect  the  series  of  essential  services  performed 
by  you  in  the  course  of  the  revolution  ;  the  temperate,  yet  effi- 
cient exertion  of  the  mighty  powers  with  which  the  nature  of  the 
contest  made  it  necessary  to  invest  you ;  and  especially  when  we 
remember  the  voluntaiy  and  magnanimous  relinquishment  of 
those  high  authorities  at  the  moment  of  peace  ;  we  anticipate  the 
happiness  of  our  country  under  your  future  administration. 

But  it  was  not  alone  from  a  successful  and  virtuous  use  of  those 
extraordinary  powers,  that  you  were  called  from  your  honorable 
retirement,  to  the  first  dignities  of  our  government.  An  affec- 
tionate" admiration  of  your  private  character,  the  impartiality,  the 
persevering  fortitude,  and  the  energ)^  with  which  your  public  du- 
ties have  been  invariably  performed,  and  the  paternal  solicitude 
for  the  happiness  of  the  American  people,  together  with  the  wis- 
dom and  consummate  knowledge  of  our  aflViirs,  manifested  in 
your  last  military  communication,  have  directed  to  your  name  the 
universal  wish,  and  have  produced,  for  the  first  time  in  the  his- 
tory of  mankind,  an  example  of  unanimous  consent  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  governor  of  a  free  and  enlightened  nation. 

To  these  considerations,  inspiring  us  with  the  most  pleasing 
expectations  as  private  citizens,  permit  us  to  add,  that  as  the  re- 
presentatives of  a  numerous  and  extended  church,  we  most 
thankfully  rejoice  in  the  election  of  a  civil  ruler,  deservedly  be- 
loved, and  eminently  distinguished  among  the  friends  of  genuine 
religion  ;  who  has  happily  united  a  tender  regard  for  oiher 
churches  with  an  inviolable  attachment  to  his  own. 

With  unfeigned  satisfaction  we  congratulate  you  on  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  constitution  of  government  of  the  United 
States,  the  mild,  yet  efficient  operations  of  which,  we  confidently 
trust,  will  remove  every  remaining  apprehension  of  those,  with 
whose  opinions  it  may  not  entirely  coincide,  and  will  confirm  the 
hopes  of  its  numerous  friends.  Nor  do  these  expectations  appear 
too  sanguine,  when  the  moderation,  patriotism  and  wisdom  of  the 
honorable  members  of  the  federal  legislature  are  duly  considered^ 
From  a  body  thus  eminently  qualified,  harmoniously  co-operat- 
ing with  the  executive  authority  in  constitutional  concert,  we  con- 
fidently hope  for  the  restoration  of  order  and  of  our  ancient  vir- 
tues,— the  extension  of  genuine  religion, — and  the  consequent  ad- 
vancement of  our  respectability  abroad,  and  of  our  substantial 
happiness  at  home. 

We  devoutly  implore  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe  to 
preserve  you  long  in  health  and  prosperity, — an  animating  exam- 
ple of  all  public  and  private  virtues, — the  friend  and  guardian  of 


101 

a  free,  enlightened  and  grateful  people, — nnd  that  you  may  finally 
receive  the  reward  which  will  be  given  to  those,  whose  lives  have 
been  spent  in  promoting  the  happiness  of  mankind. 

William  AVhite,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  commonwealth  of  JPennsylvania,  and  President  of 
the  Convention. 

Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

New  Tork.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Assistant  Minister  of 
Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity  Church, 
in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Nexv  Jersey.  William  Frazer,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Michael's 
Church,  Trenton,  and  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Amwell. 

Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  in  Newark. 

Henry  Waddel,  Rector  of  the  churches  in  Shrewsbury  and 
Middletown,  New  Jersey. 

George  H.  Spieren,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Perth  Am- 
boy.  New  Jersey. 

John  Cox. 

Samuel  Ogden. 

Robert  Strettell  Jones. 

Pennsyhania,  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's, 
and  Vice-Provost  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Senior  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ 
Church  and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  Trinity,  St, 
Thomas's  and  All  Saints. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  Assistant  Minister  of  Christ  Church  and 
S,t.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Francis  Hopkinson. 

Gerardus  Clarkson. 

Tench  Coxe. 

Samuel  Powel. 

Delaware,     Joseph  Couden,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St.  Anne's. 

Stephen  Sykes,  A.  M.  Rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  St. 
Peter's  and  St.  Matthew,  in  Sussex  county. 

James  Sykes. 

Maryland,  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Provost  of  the  Collage  and 
Academy  of  Philadelphia;  and  Clerical  Deputy  for  Maryland,  as 
late  Rector  of  Chester  parish,  in  Kent  county. 

Thomas  John  Clagget,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Prince  George 
county. 

Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Kent  county. 

John  Bisset,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Shrewsbury  parish,  Kent  county. 

William  Frisby. 

Richard  B.  Carmichael. 
Virginia.     Robert  Andrews. 


102 

South  Carolina.    Robert  Smith,  D.  i).  Rector  of  St.  Philip's 
Church,  Charleston. 
W.  W.  Burrows. 
William  Brisbane. 

The  President's  Answer. 

To  the  Bishops^  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Churchy  in  the  States  of  Nexv  Tork^  New  Jersey^  Pennsylvania^ 
Dekavare^  3Iaryland^  Virginia  and  South  Carolina^  in  General 
Conveiition  assembled. 

Gentlemen, 

I  SINCERELY  thank  you  for  your  affectionate  congratula- 
tions  on  my  election  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  United  States. 

After  having  received  from  my  fellow  citizens  in  general  the 
most  liberal  treatment — after  having  found  them  disposed  to  con- 
template, in  the  most  flattering  point  of  view,  the  performance  of 
my  military  services,  and  the  manner  of  my  retirement  at  the  close 
of  the  war — I  feel  that  1  have  a  right  to  console  myself,  in  my 
pij-esent  arduous  undertaking,  with  a  hope,  that  they  will  still  be 
inclined  to  put  the  most  favourable  construction  on  the  motives 
which  may  influence  me  in  my  future  public  transactions. 

The  satisfaction  arising  from  the  indulgent  opinion  entertained 
by  the  American  people,  of  my  conduct,  will,  I  trust,  be  some  se- 
curity for  preventing  me  from  doing  any  thing,  which  might  just- 
ly incur  the  forfeiture  of  that  opinion.  And  the  consideration, 
that  human  happiness  and  moral  duty  are  inseparably  connected^ 
will  always  continue  to  prompt  me  to  promote  the  progress  of  the 
former,  by  inculcating  the  practice  of  the  latter. 

On  this  occasion  it  would  ill  become  me  to  conceal  the  joy  I 
have  felt  in  perceiving  the  fraternal  affection,  which  appears  to  en- 
crease  every  day  among  the  friends  of  genuine  religion.  It  affordi; 
edifying  prospects  indeed,  to  see  christians  of  different  denomina- 
tions dwell  together  in  more  charity,*  and  conduct  themselves,  in 
respect  to  each  other,  with  a  more  christian  like  spirit,  than  ever 
they  have  done  in  any  former  age,  or  in  any  other  nation. 

I  receive,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction,  your  congratulations  on 
the  establishment  of  the  New  Constitution  of  Government  j  because 
I  believe  its  mild,  yet  efficient,  operations  will  tend  to  remove 
every  remaining  apprehension  of  those,  with  whose  opinions  it 
may  not  entirely  coincide,  as  well  as  to  confirm  the  hopes  of  its 
numerous  friends;  and  because  the  moderation,  patriotism  and 
wisdom  of  the  present  Federal  Legislature  seem  to  promise  the 
restoration  of  order  and  our  ancient  virtues, — the  extension  of  ge- 
nuine religion — and  the  consequent  advancement  of  our  respecta- 
bility abroad,  and  of  our  substantial  happiness  at  home. 

1  request.  Most  Reverend  and  respectable  Gentlemen,  that  you 
will  accept  my  cordial  thanks  for  your  devout  supplications  to  the 
Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe  in  behalf  of  me.     May  you,  and 


103     • 

the  ptople  whom  you  represent,  be  the  happy  subjects  of  Divlive 
Benediction  both  here  and  hereafter  ! 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Au^^iist  19,1789. 

APPENDIX.    No.  II. 

An  Address  to  the  Moat  Reverend  the  Archbishops  oj  Canterhinj 

and  Tork. 

Most  Venerable  and  iUustrious  Fathers  and  Prelates  : 

AV'E,  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  States  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  impressed 
with  every  sentiment  of  love  and  veneration,  beg  leave  to  embrace 
this  earliest  occasion,  in  General  Convention,  to  offer  our  warm- 
est, most  sincere  and  grateful  acknowledgements  to  you,  and  (by 
your  means)  to  all  the  venerable  Bishops  of  the  church  over  which 
you  preside,  for  the  manifold  instances  of  your  former  condescen- 
sion to  us,  and  solicitude  tor  our  spiritual  welfare.  But  we  are 
jnore  especially  called  to  express  our  thankfulness,  for  that  par- 
ticular act  of  your  fatherly  goodness,  whereby  we  derive,  under 
you,  a  pure  Episcopacy  and  succession  of  the  ancient  order  of 
Bishops,  and  are  now  assembled,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  as 
a  church  duly  constituted  and  organized,  with  the  happy  prospect 
before  us  of  a  future  full  and  undisturbed  exercise  of  our  holy  re- 
ligion, and  its  extension  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  this  continent, 
under  an  ecclesiastical  coiistitution,  aad  a  form  of  worship,  which 
we  believe  to  be  truly  apostolical. 

The  growing  prospect  of  this  happy  diffusion  of  Christianity, 
and  the  assurance  we  can  give  you  that  our  churches  are  spreading 
and  flourishing  throughout  these  United  States,  we  know,  will 
yield  you  more  solid  joy,  and  be  considered  as  a  more  ample 
reward  of  your  goodness  to  us,  than  all  the  praises  and  expressions 
of  gratitude  which  the  tongues  of  men  can  bestow. 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  assure  you,  that,  during  the  present  sitting 
of  our  Convention,  the  utmost  harmony  has  prevailed  through  all 
our  deliberations ;  that  we  continue,  as  heretofore,  most  sincerely 
attached  to  the  faith  and  doctrine  of  the  Church  of  England;  and 
^hat  not  a  wish  appears  to  prevail,  either  among  our  Clergy  or 
Laity,  of  ever  departing  from  that  church  in  any  essential  article. 

The  business  of  most  material  consequence  which  hath  come 
before  us,  at  our  present  meeting,  hath  been,  an  application  from 
pur  sister  churches  in  the  eastern  states  expressing  their  earnest 
desire  of  a  general  union  of  the  whole  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States,  both  in  doctrine  and  discipline ;  and,  as  a  primary 
jneans  of  such  union,  praying  the  assistance  of  our  Bishops  in  the 
consecration  of  a  Bishop  elect  for  the  states  of  Massachusetts  and  " 
New  Hampshire.  We  therefore  judge  it  necessary  to  accompany  — 
this  address  with  the  papers,  which  have  come  before  us  on  that 
very  interesting  subject,  and  of  the  proceedings  we  have  had 
thereupon,  by  which  you  will  be  enabled  to  judge  concerning  the 


•     104 

particular  delicacy  ol  our  situation,  and,  probably  to  relieve  us 
from  any  difficulties  Avhich  may  be  found  therein. 

The  application  from  the  church  in  the  states  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire  is  in  the  following  words,  viz. 

THE  good  Providence  of  Almighty  God,  the  fountain  of 
yll  goodness,  having  lately  blessed  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Churh  in  the  United  States  of  America,  by  supplying  it  with  a 
complete  and  entire  ministry,  and  affording  to  many  of  her  com- 
munion the  benefit  of  the  labours,  advice  and  government  of  the 
successors  of  the  Apostles;  ' 

We,  Presbyters  of  said  church,  in  the  states  of  Massachusetts 
Jind  New  Hampshire,  deeply  impressed  with  the  most  lively  gra- 
titude to  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  Universe  for  his  goodness 
in  this  respect,  and  with  the  most  ardent  love  to  his  church,  and 
concern  for  the  interest  of  her  sons,  that  they  may  enjoy  all  the 
means  that  Christ,  the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls,  has 
instituted,  for  leading  his  followers  into  the  ways  of  truth  and 
holiness,  and  preserving  his  church  in  the  vmity  of  the  spirit  and 
the  bond  of  peace ;  to  the  end  that  the  people  committed  to  our 
respective  charges  may  enjoy  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  those 
offices,  the  administration  of  which  belongs  to  the  highest  order  of 
the  ministry,  and  to  encourage  and  promote,  as  far  as  in  us  lies, 
a  union  of  the  whole  Episcopal  Church  in  these  states,  and  to  per- 
fect and  compact  this  mystical  body  of  Christ,  do  hereby  nomi- 
nate, elect  and  appoint  the  Reverend  Edward  Bass,  a  Presbyter  of 
said  church,  and  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Newburyport,  to  be  our 
Bishop;  and  we  do  promise  and  engage  to  receive  him  as  such,  when 
canonically  consecrated,  and  invested  with  the  apostolic  office  and 
powers,  by  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  hereafter  named,  and 
to  render  him  all  that  canonical  obedience  and  submission,  which, 
by  the  laws  of  Christ  and  the  constitution  of  our  church,  is  due 
to  so  important  an  office. 

And  we  now  address  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  in  the 
states  of  Connecticut,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  praying  their 
united  assistance  in  consecrating  our  said  brother,  and  canonically 
investing  him  with  the  apostolic  office  and  powers.  This  request 
we  are  induced  to  make,  from  a  long  acquaintance  with  him,  and 
from  a  perfect  knowledge  of  his  being  possessed  of  that  love  to 
God  and  benevolence  to  men,  that  piety,  learning  and  good  mo- 
rals, that  prudence  and  discretion,  requisite  to  so  exalted  a  station, 
as  well  as  that  personal  respect  and  attachment  to  the  communion 
at  large  m  these  states,  which  will  make  him  a  valuable  acquisitiqa 
to  the  order,  and,  v/e  trust,  a  rich  blessing  to  the  church. 

Done  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyters,  whose  names  are  un- 
derwritten, held  at  Salem,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  and 
conimonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  the  fourth  day  of  June, 
Anno  Salutis  1789. 
Samuel  Parker,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston. 
T.  Fitch  Oliver,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Marblehead. 


105 
John  Cousens  Ogden,  Rector  of  Queen's  Chapel,  Portsmouth, 

^  WiSam  M^n^tague,  Minister  of  Christ's  Church,  Boston. 
liUotson   Brunson,  Assistant   Minister   of  Christ  s   Church, 

Boston. 

A  true  copy. 
Attest.     Samuti  Parker. 

At  the  meeting  aforesaid,  »     .     •,       j 

Voted,  That  the  Rev.  Samuel  Parker  be  authorised  and  em- 
powered  to  transmit  copies  of  the  foregoing  act,  to  be  by  him  at- 
tested, to  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishops  in  Connecticut,  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania;  and  that  he  be  appointed  our  agent,  to 
appear  at  any  convocation  to  be  holden  at  Pennsylvania  or  New 
York,  and  to  treat  upon  any  measures  that  may  tend  to  promote 
an  union  of  the  Episcopal  Church  throughout  the  United  States  of 
America,  or  that  may  prove  advantageous  to  the  interest  ot  tho 
said  church.  EDWARD  BASS,  Chairman. 

A  true  copy. 
Attest.     Samuel  Parker. 

This  was  accompanied  with  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Parker,  the  worthy  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston,  to   the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  dated  June  21st,  1789,  ot  which  the 
following  is   an  extract :—"  The  clergy  here  have  appointed  me 
tbeir  agent,  to  appear  at  any  convocation  to  be  held  at  INew  York 
or  Pennsylvania  ;  but  I  fear  the  situation  of  my  family  and  pa- 
xish  wiU  not  admit  of  my  being  absent  so  long  as  a  journey  to 
Philadelphia  would  take.     When  I  gave  you  encouragement  that 
I  should  attend,  I  was  in  expectation  of  having  my  parish  sup- 
plied by  some  gentlemen  from  Nova  Scotia;  but  I   am  now  in- 
formed they  will  not  be  here  till  some  time  in  August.     Having, 
therefore,  no  prospect  of  attending   in   person  at  your  Ijreneral 
Convention  next  month,  I  am   requested  to   transmit  you  an  at- 
tested copy  of  an  act  of  the  clergy  of  this  and  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  electing  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass  our  Bishop,  and  re- 
questing the  united  assistance  of  the  Right  Reverend  Bishops  ot 
Pennsylvania,  New  York   and  Connecticut,  to   invest  him  with 
apostolic  powers.     This  act  I  have  now  the  honour  of  enclosing, 
and  hope  it  will  reach  you  before  the  meeting  of  your  General 
Convention  in  July. 

"  The  clergy  of  this  state  are  very  desirous  of  seeing  an  union 
of  the  whole  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  take  place; 
and  it  will  remain  with  our  brethren  at  the  southward  to  say, 
whether  this  shall  be  the  case  or  not ;  whether  we  shall  be  an 
united  or  divided  church.  Some  little  difference  m  government 
may  exist  in  different  states,  without  affecting  the  essential  points 
of  union  and  communion." 
In  the  like  spirit,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabur>',  Bishop  ot  the 


106 

church  in  Connecticut,  in  his  letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  datea 

3u\v  23d,  writes  on  the  subject  of  union,  &c.   as  followeth. 

"  The  wish  of  my  heart,  and  the  wish  of  the  clergy  and  of  the 
church  people  of  this  state,  would  certainly  have  carried  me  and 
some  of  the  clergv  to  your  General  Convention,  had  we  conceiv- 
ed we  could  have  attended  with  propriety.  The  necessity  of  an 
union  of  all  the  churches,  and  the  disadvantages  of  our  present 
dis-rnion,  we  feel  and  lament  equally  with  you ;  and  I  agree 
with  you,  that  there  may  be  a  strong  and  efficacious  union  be- 
'  tween  churches,  where  the  usages  are  different.  I  see  not  why 
it  may  not  l>e  so  in  the  present  case,  as  soon  as  you  have  removed 
those  obstructions,  which,  while  they  remain,  must  prevent  all 
possibility  of  uniting.  ^The  church  of  Connecticut  consists,  at 
present,  of  nineteen  clergymen  in  full  orders,  and  more  than 
twenty  thousand  people,  they  suppose,  as  respectable  as  the  church 
in  any  state  in  the  union." 

After  the  most  serious  deliberation  upon  this  important  busi- 
ness, and  cordially  joining  with  our  brethren  of  the  eastern  or 
New  England  churches  in  the  desire  of  union,  the  following  i-e- 
solves  were  unanimously  adopted  in  Convention,  viz  : 

Resolved^ — "1st.  That  a  complete  order  of  Bishops,  derived 
as  well  under  the  English  as  the  Scots  line  of  succession,  doth 
now  subsist  within  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  persons 
of  the  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  ;  the  Right 
Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  said  church  in  the 
state  ot  New  York;  and  the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  the  said  church  in  the  state  of  Connecticut. 

2d.  That  the  said  three  Bishops  are  fuUv  competent  to  every 
proper  act  and  duty  -of  the  episcopal  office  and  character  in  these 
United  States ;  as  well  in  respect  to  the  consecration  of  other  Bi- 
shops, and  the  ordering  of  Priests  and  Deacons,  as  for  the  go- 
vernment of  the  church,  according  to  such  canons,  rules  and  in- 
stitutions, as  now  are,  or  hereafter  may  be,  duly  made  and  or- 
dained by  the  church  in  that  case. 

3d.  That  in  christian  charity,  as  well  as  of  duty,  necessitv  ajid 
expediency,  the  churches  represented  in  this  Convention  ougiit 
to  contribute,  in  every  manner  in  their  power,  towards  supply- 
ing the  wants,  and  granting  every  just  and  reasonable  request  of 
their  sister  churches  in  these  states  ;  and  therefore.  Resolved, — 

4th,  That  the  Right  Rev.  Br.  White  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr. 
Provoost  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  requested  to  join  with  the  Right 
Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  in  complying  with  the  prayer  of  the  clergy  of 
the  states  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  for  the  conse- 
cration of  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass,  Bishop  elect  of  the  churches  in 
the  said  states  ;  but  that,  before  the  said  Bishops  comply  with 
the  request  aforesaid,  it  be  proposed  to  the  churthes  in  the  New 
England  states  to  meet  the  churches  of  these  states,  with  the  said 


107 


three  Bishops,  m  an  adjourned  Convention,  to  settle  ccr..  n  ar- 
ticles of  union  and  discipline  among  all  the  churches,  previous  to 
such  consecration.  ,  i      a     i 

5th.  That  if  anv  difficulty  or  delicacy,  m  respect  to  the  Arch- 
bishops and  Bishops  of  England,  shall  remain  with  the  Right  Roy. 
Drs  White  and  Provoost,  or  either  of  them,  concerning  their 
compliance  with  the  above  request,  this  Convention  will  address 
the  Archbishops  and   Bishops,  and  hope    thereby   to  remove  the 

"^^  We  hli've  now,  most  venerable  Fathers,  submitted  to  your  con- 
sideration whatever  relates  to  this  important  business  ot  unior. 
amouR  all  our  churches  in  these  United  States.  It  vvas  our  on- 
oinal  and  sincere  intention  to  have  obtained  three  Bishops,  at 
least,  immediately  consecrated  by  the  BVshops  ot  England,  lor 
the  seven  states  comprehended  within  our  prt^sent  union.  Hut 
that  intention  being  frustrated  through  unforeseen  circumstancc^s, 
we  could  not  wish  to  deny  any  present  assistance,  which  may^be 
found  in  our  power  to  give  to  any  of  our  sister  churches,  in  thaf 
way  which  may  be  most  acceptable  to  them,  and   in   itselt  legal 

and  expedient.  ^  r  in 

We  ardently  pray  for  the  continuance  of  your  lavour  and  bles- 
sing, and  that,  as  soon  as  the  urgency  of  other  weighty  concerns 
of  the  church  will  allow,  we  may  be  favoured  with  that  iatherly 
advice  and  direction,  which  to  you  may  appear  most  lor  tae  glo- 
ry of  God  and  the  prosperity  of  our  churches,  upon  tne  consider- 
a'tion  of  the  foregoing  documents  and  papers. 

Done  in  Convention,  this  8th  day  of  August,   1789,  and  di- 
rected to  be  signed  by  all  the  members,  as  the  act  oi  their 
bod\»,  and  by  the  President  officially. 
William  'White,  D.    D.  Bishop   of  the    Protestant   Episcopal 
Church  in  the  commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  President  ot 

the  Convention.  r  r,^  •   •      r-u       u 

Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  assistant  Minister  of  1  nmty  Church, 

in  the  city  of  New  York  . 

Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  assistant  Minister  of  Irinity  Church, 

in  the  citv  of  New  York. 

Moses' Rogers,  Lay  Deputy  from  New  York. 
NeiL)  Jersey. 

William  Frazer,  A.  M.    Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  in 
Trenton,  and  St.  Andrew's,  in  Ainv/ell. 

Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Newark. 

Htnry  Waddell,  Rector  of  the  Churches  ot   Shrewsbury  and 
Middleton. 

George  n.  Spieren,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's,  .Perth  Amboy. 

John  Cox,  1 

Samuel  Ogden,      I    Lay  Deputies. 

Robert  S.  Jones,  J 

Pfmnsylvania. 
Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector   of  St.  Paul's,  Philadelphia, 
Vice  Provost  of  the  University. 


108 

Robert  Blackvell,  B.D.  senior  assistant  Minister  of  Christ 
Church  and  St.  Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  the  United  Churches  of  Trinity,  St. 
Thomas'ii  and  All  Saints. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  assistant  Minister  of  Christ  Church  and 
6t.  Peter's,  in  Philadelphia. 

Gerardus  Clarkson,  1 

Tench  Coxe,  V    Lay  Deputies. 

Francis  Hopkinson,  J 

Delaware^ 
Joseph  Covvden,  Clerical  Deputy. 
Stephen  Sykes,  Clerical  Deputy. 
James  Sykes,  Lay  Deputy. 

Maryland, 

"William  Smith,  D.  D.  Provost  of  the  College  and  Academy 
of  Philadelphia,  and  Clerical  Deputy,  as  late  Rector  of  Chester 
Parish,  Kent  county,  Maryland.     And  for 

Thomas  John  Claggett,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Prince 
George's  County. 

Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Kent  County. 

John  Bisset,  A.  M.  Rector  of  Shrewsbury  Parish. 

^ru^"^  5* •^K^'"''"^''"^' I  Lay  Deputies. 
William  Fnsby,  J 

Virghiia. 
Robert  Andrews,  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the  College  of 
William  and  Mary.  , 

South  Carolina, 
Robert  Smith,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Philip's  Church,  and  Prin- 
cipal of  Charleston  College. 

William  Brisbane,  T  y        ti^„.,*:^c. 
•sir-n-       T»  r^^y  iieputies. 

Wilham  Burrows,  J  ^ 

APPENDIX.    No  in. 

Papers  relating  to  the  Scots  Episcopacy^  as  connected  with  the 
English  y  and  the  cons£cration  of  Bishop  Seabury, 

Extract  from  the  Register  of  Archbishop  Juxon,  in  the  Library 
of  his  Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  at  Lambeth  Pa- 
lace— FoL2Z7. 

IT  appears  that  James  Sharp  was  consecrated  Archbishop  of 
St.  Andrew's — Andrew  Fairfoull,  Archbishop  of  Glasgow — Ro- 
bert Lejghton,  Bishop  of  Doublenen  (Dunblane) — and  James  Ha- 
milton, Bishop  of  Galloway — on  the  15th  day  of  December, 
J 661,  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  W^estminster,  by  Gilbert,  Bishop  of 
I^ondon,  Commissary  to  the  Ajchbishop  of  Canterbury; — and 


109 

that  the  Right  Rev.  George,  Bishop  of  Worcester,  John,  Bishop 
of  Carlisle,  and  Hugh,  Bishop  of  Landaff,  were  present  and  as- 
sisting. 

Extracted  this  Zd  day  of  June ^  1789,  by  me, 

William  Dickes,  Secretary. 

London^  June  3d^  1 789. 
THAT  the  above  is  a  true  copy  of  an  extract  procured  by 
order  of  Archbishop  Moore,  to  be  sent  to  Bishop  Seabury,  in  Con- 
necticut, is  attested  by  us.  Bishops  of  the  Scottish  Church,  now 
ia  this  place,  on  business  of  importance  to  the  said  Church. 
John  Skinner,  Bishop. 
William  Abernethy  Drummond,  Bishop. 
John  Strsechan,  Bishop. 

A  List  of  the  Consecration  and  succession  of  Scots  Bishops^  since  ■ 
the  Revolution^   1688,  wider  William  the  Thirds  as  far  as  the 
Consecration  of  Bis  no fi  Seabury  is  concerned. 

1693.  Feb.  23.  Dr.  George  Hickes,  was  consecrated  Suffragan 
of  Thetiord,  ia  the  Bishop  of  Peterborough's  chapel,  in  the  parish 
of  Enfield,  by  Dr.  William  Loyd,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  Dr.  Fran- 
cis Turner,  Bishop  ot  Ely,  and  Dr.  Thomas  White,  Bishop  of 
Peterborough.  N.  B.  Dr.  Loyd,  Dr.  Turner  and  Dr.  White, 
were  three  of  the  English  Bishops  who  were  deprived  at  the  re- 
volution, by  the  civil  power,  for  not  swearing  allegiance  to  Willianx 
the  Third.  They  were  also  three  of  the  seven  Bishops  who  had 
been  sent  to  the  Tower,  by  James  the  Second,  for  refusing  to 
order  an  illegal  proclamation  to  be  read  in  their  diocesses. 

1705.  Jan.  25.  Mr.  John  Sage,  formerly  one  of  the  Ministers 
of  Glasgow,  and  Mr.  John  Fullarton,  formerly  Minister  of  Pais- 
ley, were  consecrated  at  Edinburgh,  by  John  Paterson,  Archbi- 
shop of  Glasgow,  Alexander  Rose,  Bishop  of  Edinburgh,  and 
Robert  Douglas,  Bishop  of  Dunblane.  N.  B.  Archbishop  Pa- 
terson, Bishop  Rose  and  Bishop  Douglas,  were  deprived  at  the 
revolution,  by  the  civil  power,  because  they  refused  to  swear  alle- 
giance to  William  the  Third. 

1709.  April  28.  Mr.  John  Falconar,  Minister  at  Caimbee,  and 
Mr.  Henry  Chrystie,  Minister  at  Kinross,  were  consecrated  at 
Dundee,  by  Bishop  Rose  of  Edinburgh,  Bishop  Douglas  of  Dun-^ 
blane,  and  Bishop  Sage. 

1711.  Aug,  25.  The  Honourable  Archibald  Campbel  was  con- 
secrated at  Dundee,  by  Bishop  Rose  of  Edinburgh,  Bishop  Doug- 
las  of  Dunblane,  and  Bishop  Falconar. 

1712.  Feb,  24.  Mr.  James  Gadderar,  formerly  Minister  at 
Kilmaurs,  was  consecrated  at  London,  by  Bishop  Hickes,  Bishoj 
Falconar,  and  Bishop  Campbel. 

1712.  Get.  22.  Mr.  Arthur  Millar,  formerly  Minister  ai 
Inveresk,  and  Mr.  W  illiam  Irvine,  formerly  Minister  at  Kirk- 
michael,  in  Carrict,  were  consecrated  at  Edinburgh,  by  Bishop 
Rose  of  Edinburgh,  Bishop  Fullarton  and  Bishop  Falconar. 


110 

AUev  the  Ijlshop  of  Edinburgh's  death. 

1722.  Oct.  7.  Mr.  Andrew  Cant,  formerly  one  of  the  Ministers 
of  Edinburgh,  and  IMr.  David  Freebairn,  formerly  Minister  of 
Dunning,  were  consecrated  at  Edinburgh,  by  Bishop  Fuilarton, 
Bishojj  Millar  and  Bishop  Irvine. 

1722.  yunc  4.  Dr.  Thomas  Ilattray  of  Craighall,  was  conse- 
crated at  Edinburgh,  by  Bishop  Gadderar,  Bishop  Millar,  and 
Bishop  Cant. 

1727.  June  18.  Mr.  William  Dunbar,  Minister  at  Cruden,  and 
Mr.  Robert  Keith,  Presbyter  in  Edinburgh,  were  consecrated  at 
Edinburgh,  by  Bishop  Gadderar,  Bishop  Mdlar  and  Bishop  Rat- 
tray. N.  B.  They  who  were  deprived  of  their  parishes  at  the  re- 
volution are,  in  this  list,  called  Ministers  ;  but  they  .who  have 
not  been  parish  Ministers  under  the  civil  establishment  are  called 
.  Presbyters. 

•  1736.  Jime'^A'.  Mr.  Robert  White,  Presbyter  at  Cupar,  was 
consecrated  at  Carsebank,  near  Forfar,  by  Bishop  Rattray,  Bishop 
Dunbar  and  Bishop  Keith. 

1741.  Sept.  .10.  Mr.  Vfiiliam  Falconar,  Presbyter  at  Forress, 
was  cohsecrated  at  Alloa,  in  Ciacmannanshire,  by  Bishop  Rattray, 
Bishop  Keidi  and  Bishop  White. 

1742.  Oct.  4.  Mr.  James  Rait,  Presbyter  at  Dundee;  was  con- 
secrated at  Edinburgh,  by  Bishop  Rattray,  Bishop  Keith  and  Bi- 
shop White. 

1743.  Aug.  19.  Mr.  John  Alexander,  Presbyter  at  Alloa,  in 
Ciacmannanshire,  was  consecrated  at  Edinburgh,  by  Bishop  Keith, 
Bishop  White,  Bishop  Falconar  and  Bishop  Rait. 

1747.  Jitiy  17.  Mr.  Andrew  Gerard,  Presbyter  in  Aberdeen, 
was  consecrated  at  Cupar,  in  Fife,  by  Bishop  White,  Bishop  Fal- 
conar, Bishop  Rait  and  JSishop  Alexander. 

1759.  Nov.  1.  i^lr.  Henry  Edgar  was  consecrated  at  Cupar,  in 
Fife,  by  Bishop  White,  Bishop  Falconar,  Bishop  Rait  and  Bishop 
Alexander,  as  Co-adjutor  to  Bishop  White,  then  Primus.  N.  B. 
Anciently  no  Bishop  in  Scotland  had  the  stile  of  Archbishop,  but 
one  of  them  had  a  precedency,  under  the  title  of.  Primus  Scotios 
Episcopus  ;  And  after  the  revolution  they  returned  to  their  old 
stile,  whicli  they  still  retain;  one  ot  them  being  entitled  Primus, 
to  whom  precedency  is  allowed,  and  deference  paid  in  the  synod 
of  iMshops. 

1762.  June  24.  Mr.  Robert  Forbes  was  consecrated  at  Forfeir, 
by  Bishop  Falconar,  Primus,  Bishop  Alexander  and  Bishop  Ge- 
rard. , 

1768,  Se/Jt.  21.  Mr.  Robert  Kilgour,  Presbyter  at  Peterhead, 
^vas  consecrated  Bishop  of  Aberdeen,  at  Cupar,  in  File,  Jiy  Bi- 
shop Falconar,  Primus,  Bishop  Rait  and  Bishop  Alexander. 

1744.   Aug.  24.  Mr.  Charles  Rose,  Presbyter  at  Down,  was    ■• 
consecrated  Bishop  of  Dunblane,  at  Forfar,  by  Bishop  Falconar, 
Primus,  Bishop  Rait  and  Bishop  Forbes. 

1776.  y'laic  27.  Mr.  Arthur  Petrie,  Presbyter  at  3IcikelfolIa, 


Hi 

was  consecrated  Bishop  Co-adjutor,  at  Dundee,  by  Hishop  Falco.- 
nar,  Primus,  Bishop  Rait,  Bishop  Kilgour  and  Bishop  Rose  :  And 
appointed  Bishop  of  Ross  and  Caithness,  July  8th,  1777.  N.  B. 
Alter  the  revolution,  the  Bishops  in  Scotland  had  no  particular 
Diocess,  but  managed  their  ecclesiastical  affairs  in  one  body,  as  a 
college  :  But,  finding  inconveniencies  in  this  mode,  they  took  par- 
ticular diocesses,  which,  though  not  exactly  according  to  the  limits, 
of  the  diocesses  under  the  former  legal  establisliment,  still  retain 
their  old  names. 

1778.  Ang\  \'^  JMr.  George  Innes,  Presbyter  ;n  Al;erdecn,  was 
consecrated  Bishop  of  Brechen,  at  Alloa,  by  Bishop  Falconar, 
Primus,  Bishop  Rose  and  Bishop  Petrie. 

1782.  S-pt.  25  JMr.  John  Skinner,  Presbyter  in  Abercfeen,  was 
consecrated  Bishop  Co-adjutor,  at  Luthermuir,  in  the  diocess  of 
Brechen,  by  Bishop  Kilgour,  Primus,  Bishop  Rose  and  Bishop 
Petrie. 

(jt?"  ■"^1"'^  foregoing  list  is  taken  from  an  attested  copy,  in  the  pos- 
session of  Bishop  Seabury. 

1784.  Nov.  14.  Dr.  Samuel  Seabury,  Presbyter,  from  the  State 
of  Connecticut,  in  America,  was  consecrated 'Bishop,  at  Aberdeen, 
by  Bishop  Kilgour,  Primus,  Bishop  Petrie  and  Bishop  Skinner,— 
as  by  the  deed  of  consecration,  as  follows,  viz. 

IN  DEI  NOMINE.     Amen. 

Omnibus  xihiqiie  Catholicis  per  Present cs  pateat, 

NOS,  Robertum  Kilgour,  miseratione  divina,  Episcopum 
Aberdonien — Arthurum  Petrie,  Episcopum  Rossen  et  Moravien 
— et  Joannem  Skinner,  Episcopum  Coadjutorem;  Mysteria  Sacra 
Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi  in  Oi-atorio  supradicti  Joannis  Skin- 
ner apud  Aberdoniam  celebrantes,  Divini  Numinis  Pritsidio  fretos 
(presentibus  tarn  e  Clero,  quam  e  Populo  testibus  idoneis)  Saiiniel- 
■  em  S.-abury,  Doctorem  Divinitatis,  sacro  Presbyteratus  ordine 
jam  decoratum,  ac  nobis  pra^  Vita;  integritate,  Morum  probitatc 
et  Orthodoxia,  commendatum,  et  ad  docendum  et'regendum  apt- 
um  et  idonium,  ad  sacrum  et  sublimem  Episcopatus  Ordinem 
promovisse,  et  rite  ac  canonice,  secundum  Morem  et  Ritus  Ec- 
clesia;  Scoticante,  consecrasse,  Die  Novembris  decimo  quarto, 
Anno  Mvx  Christians  Millesimo  Septingentisimo  Octagcsimo 
Quarto.—-— 

In  cujus  Rei  Testimonium,  Instrumento  huic  (chirographis 
nostis  prius  munito)  Sigilla  nostra  apponi  mandavimus. 
Robertus  Kilgour,  Episcopus,  et  Primus.     (L.  S.) 
Arthurus  Petrie,  Episcopus.  (L.  S.) 

Joannes  Skinner,  Episcopus.  (I<    S.) 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OF   THE 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY. 


<WTHE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN   THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


IN  A 


(S(DS5'^asj^a(i)sr 


9 


HELD    IN 


The  City  oi  New   York,  from  Tuesday,   September   11th,  to 
Wednesday,  September  19th,  1792. 


*i^  THE  MEMBi. 


OF    THK 


HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPU 1 1^; 


Fi'om  the  State  of  Hhock  Island, 
Rev.  John  Bowden, 
Samuel  Marsh,  Esquire. 

Fro?7i  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D. 
Philip  Nichols,  Esquire, 
Thomas  Belden,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Mem  Turk. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D. 
Ifcev.  ThemasL.  Moore, 
Rev.  Richsb'd  G.  Mbote, 
Aquila  Giles,  Esquire, 
Dr.  Samuel  Martift. 

From  the  Statie  ofNeiv  ^erseig. 
Rev.  Uzal  Ogden, 
Rev^.  WiirmiiA  l^^raZef^ 
Rev.  Henry  Waddell, 
Mon.  Robert  Morris-,  Esquire, 
Coloriel  Samuel  Ogden, 
John  De  Hart,  Esquire. 

From  the  Statd  of  Pennsylvania. 
Rev.  Willia?tt  Smith,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore, 
Bev.  Elisha  Rigg, 
John  Campbell,  Esq\jir-e. 

From  the  State  of  DelaufOre* 
Rev.  John  Bisset. 

From  th€  State  of  Maryland ■ 
Rev  John  Bowie,  D.  D. 
Kev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend, 
Rev.  John  Gokmafl, 
Colonel  John  WeemS, 
Major  James  Lloyd, 
Dr.  John  Hindman, 
Mr.  James  Howard. 

Froth  the  Stdte  of  Virginia, 
Rev.  Samuel  S.  M'Croskey, 
Robert  Andrews,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  South  Carolina* 
Bev.  Thomas  Frost, 


JOURNAL,  &c. 


New  York,  Tuesday^  September  lUh^  1792. 

CLERICAL  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the  churches  in  seve- 
ral of  the  states  assembled  in  Trinity  Church,  at  10  o'clock,  A. 
M.  and,  after  prayers  read  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Moore,  judg- 
ing it  proper  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  the  Deputies  from  other 
churches  ; 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday^  10  o^clocky  A.  M. 

The  members  met  and  attended  divine  service  performed  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Madison  and  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  and  ja  serf 
mon  preached  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury. 

After  the  congregation  was  dismissed,  the  members  assembled, 

the  Rev,  Dr.  Smith,  the  President  of  the  last  Cpnv.eijtion,  in.tlje 

chair.  ■  .,  ,f';''>  >  ■      •;    •- 

The  Rev.  John  Bisset  was  appointed  Secretary  pro  tempore,  ' 

The  members  proceeded  to  choose  by  ballot,  a  President  of  the 

house  :  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith  was  elected. 

They  then  proceeded  to  choose  a  secretary  by  ballot;  and  the 
Rev.  John  Bisset  was  elected. 

Retsohed^  That  the  Rev  Dr.  Beach,  Rev*  Mr.  Ogden,  and 
Major  Lloyd,  be  a  committee  to  examine  the  credentials  of  the 
members,  and  report  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Mr.  Andrews,  Rev.  Mr. 
Frazer,  Mr.  Campbell  and  Mr.  Marsh  be  a  committee  to  report 
rules  of  order. 

Resolved  unanimously,,  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  giveti 
to  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  for  his  sermon  delivered  this  day 
in  Trinity  Church,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  and  Robert  An- 
drews, Esquire,  be  appointed  to  prt- sent  the  thanks  of  this  house, 
and  to  request  a  copy  of  the  sermon  for  publication. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  inform  the  house  of  Bi- 
shops, that  this  house  is  now  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to 
business,  and  to  receive  any  communications  from  them,  and  tp 
propose  1 0  o'clock  A.  M.  as  the  stated  hour  of  meeting. 

The  Bishops  informed  the  house  by  their  Secretary,  that  they 
agree  to  the  hour  of  ten  as  the  time  of  meeting. 
Adjourned  to  ten  o  clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Jhursd<iy^  10  o'clock  A.  M. 

The  Rev.  John  Bisset  read  prayers. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ogden  inform  the  Bishops,  thai 
seats  are  prepared  for  their  accommodation  on  the  right  hand  of 
the  chair,  whenever  they  may  choose  to  be  present  at  the  debates 
of  the  house.        »' 


115 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  from  the  committee  on  the  credentials  ol 
•the  members,  brought  in  a  report  which  was  read  and  concurred 

with.  ,      r       • 

Resolved,  That  no  person  shall  be  capable  of  actmg  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  house  of  deputies,  under  the  deputation  of  more  than 

one  convention.  -r  ,      ti-  i.    l   j 

In  consequence  of  this  resolve,  the  Rev.  John  Bisset,  who  had 
been  reported  as  elected  by  the  churches  in  Maryland  and  Dela- 
ware, took  his  seat  as  representative  of  the  church  of  Delaware. 

The  Rev.  John  Bowden  and  Samuel  IVIarsh,  Esquire,  two  of 
the  deputies  from  the  church  in  Connecticut,  having  produced  a 
testimonial  of  their  appointment  by  the  church  in  Rhode  Island, 
took  their  seats  as  representatives  of  that  church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  from  the  committee  for  frammg  rules  ot 
order,  brought  in  a  report. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  read. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  read  a  second  time,  and  considered  by  pa- 
ragraphs. 

Accordingly  it  was  read  and  considered ;  and  the  following 
rules  Avere  adopted  and  ratified  : — 

I.  The  business  of  every  day  shall  be  introduced  by  prayers. 

II.  When  the  President  takes  the  chavr,  no  member  shall  con- 
tinue standing,  or  shall  afterwards  stand  up,  unless  to  address  the 

ohair. 

III.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  the  service  of  the 
convention,  unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  unable  to  attend. 

IV.  When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  in  debate,  or  deliver 
any  matter  to  the  Convention,  he  shall  rise  from  his  seat,  and, 
without  advancing,  shall  with  due  respect  address  himself  to  the 
President,  confining  himself  strictly  to  the  point  in  debate. 

V.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  the  same  de- 
bate,  without  leave  of  the  House. 

VI.  A  question  being  once  determined,  shall  stand  as  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Convention,  and  shall  not  be  again  drawn  into  debate 
during  the  same  session. 

VII.  While  the  President  is  putting  any  question,  no  one  shall 
hold  private  discourse,  stand  up,  walk  into,  out  of,  or  across  the 
house,  or  read  any  book. 

VIII.  Every  member  who  shall  be  in  the  Convention  when  any 
question  is  put,  shall,  on  a  division,  be  counted,  unless  he  be 
particularly  interested  in  the  decision. 

IX.  No  motion  shall  be  considered  as  before  the  House  unless 
It  be  seconded,  and  reduced  to  writing,  when  required, 

X.  When  any  question  is  before  the  Convention,  it^shall  be  de- 
termined on  before  any  thing  new  is  introduced,  except  the 
question  for  adjournment. 

XI.  The  question  on  a  motion  for  adjournment  shall  be  taken 
before  any  other,  and  without  debate. 

XII.  When  the  Convention  is  to  rise,  every  member  shall  keep 
his  seat  unti  the  President  leave  the  chair. 


The  Rev.  Pr.  Magavv  ol^tained  leave  of  absence  till  Saturday 
iTiorning. 

Resolved,  That  the  house  now  go  into  a  committee  of  the  whole 
on  the  state  of  the  church  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  rose  and  reported  progress,  and  asked  leave  to 
sit  again. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o*clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden  read  prayers. 

It  appearing  to  the  Convention,  that  the  church  in  the  state  of 
Rhode  Island  had  not  acceded  to  the  constitution,  but  that  the  de- 
puties from  the  church  in  Connecticut  were  vested  by  the  said 
church  in  Rhode  Island  with  full  powers  to  act  in  all  things  oja 
their  behalf ; 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputies  from  the  church  in  Connecticut 
are  authorized  to  accede  to  the  constitution  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  name  and 
behalf  of  the  church  in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island. 

Accordingly,  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the  church  ia 
Connecticut,  subscribed  the  constitution  in  the  name  of  the  churcb 
in  Rhode  Island. 

Satisfactory  documents  having  been  laid  before  the  convention, 
of  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Claggett,  D.  D.  to  the 
office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 
Maryland,  and  also  a  testimony  of  the  convention  of  the  church 
in  that  state,  in  the  form  prescribed  by  the  canon ; 

Resolved,  That  this  house  do  now  proceed  to  sign  the  testi- 
mony in  such  cases  required  from  the  General  Convention. 

Accordingly,  the  said  testimony  was  signed  by  all  the  members, 
and  delivered  to  the  Deputies  from  the  church  in  Maryland,  .to 
be  presented  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Claggett. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and  Colonel  Giles,  be  a 
committee,  to  request  of  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  New  York, 
rhe  use  of  two  apartments  in  the  City  Hall,  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  Convention. 

The  house  again  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole, 
on  the  state  of  the  church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  frum  the  committee  of  the  v-^hole,  re- 
ported, that  a  motion  for  ratifying  the  proposed  amendment  of 
the  constitution,,  by  which  the  House  of  Bishops  would  be  invest- 
td  with  a  negative  upon  the  proceedings  of  the  other  house,  was 
negatived. 

The  Rev,  Mr.  Waddell  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  to-morrow. 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  10  o'clock,  A.  M, 

The  Rev.  Joseph  J*ijmgre  read  prayeri?. 


117 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  reported,  that  the  Mayor  and  Aldermci* 
ftad  granted  the  use  of  two  apartments  in  the  City  Hall  lor  the 
accommodation  of  the  two  Houses  of  Convention. 

I'he  house  adjourned  to  the  City  Hall. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Lloyd  inform  the  House  of  Bishops,  that 
this  house  request  a  conference  with  them  on  the  general  state  of 
the  church,  and  propose  that  the  Bishops  appoint  the  time  and 
place  for  holding  such  conference. 

The  Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore  obtained  leave  of  absence  till 
Monday  morning. 

Jt  was  moved  to  concur  with  the  resolve  of  the  committee  of 
the  whole,  on  the  question  respecting  the  bishops'  negative. 

The  previous  question  was  then  moved — Shall  the  motion  for 
concurrence  be  now  put,  and  determined  in  the  negative. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  several 
state  conventions,  that  it  is  proposed  to  consiidef  and  determine, 
in  the  next  General  Convention,  on  the  propriety  of  investing  the 
house  of  bishops  with  a  full  negative  upon  the  proceedings  of  the 
other  house. 

The  house  received  from  the  house  of  bishops,  alterations  of 
the  office  of  consecrating  bishops,  and  information  that  they  agreed 
to  enter  immediately  into  conference  with  the  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  in  their  house. 

The  house  went  into  conference  with  the  house  of  bishops. 

After  the  conference,  in  which  the  expediency  of  considering 
the  articles  of  religion  at  this  time  was  discussed, 

Resolved^  That,  as  the  churches  4n  some  of  the  states  are  not 
represented  in  this  Convention,  and  others  only  partially,  the  con- 
sideration of  the  articles  of  religion  be  postponed  until  the  next 
General  Convention. 

The  office  of  consecration,  as  altered  by  the  house  of  bishop&, 
was  taken  up  and  read. 

It  was  read  a  second  time,  and  considered  by  paragraphs. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  agreed  to  and  passed. 

The  house  received  information  from  the  house  of  bishops,  that 
they  had  examined  and  approved  the  testimonials  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Claggttt,  bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  Maryland  ;  and  that  they 
had  appointed  half  after  ten  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  as  the 
time  for  his  consecration. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  on  Monday  morning. 

Monday^  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  read  prayers. 

The  house  adjourned  to  attend  divine  service  in  Trinity  Church, 
on  occasion  of  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Claggett,  bishop 
elect  of  the  church  in  Maryland. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

Resolved  wianimoiishf^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  givew- 


118 

to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  for  his  sermon  delivered  this  day  in  Tri^ 
nity  church,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same 
for  publication. 

Resolved,  That  a  message  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  re- 
questing a  conference  with  them  at  half  after  nine  o* clock  to-mor- 
row. 

This  message  was  carried  by  Major  Lloyd,  who  returned  and 
informed  the  house,  that  the  Bishops  agree  to  meet  the  house  at 
the  hour  proposed. 

A  letter  and  copy  of  proceedings  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the 
church  in  North  Carolina  were  laid  before  the  house,  expressing 
their  approbation  of  the  proceedings  of  the  last  General  Conven- 
tion  held  in  Philadelphia,  and  their  wiUingness  to  accede  to  the 
Coirstitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  preserved  by  the  Secretary  among  the 
Records  of  the  House. 

A  letter  was  received  from  IMr.  Parry  Hall,  Printer  in  Phila- 
delphia,  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Rigg,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  obtained  leave  of 
absence  for  the  remaining  part  of  the  session. 

The  House  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  alterations  of- 
the  form  and  manner  of  ordering  Priests,  which  were  read. 

Adjourned  to  9  o^clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  Rev,  Dr.  Smith  read  prayers. 

The  form  of  ordering  Priests  was  again  read  and  considei'ed 
liy  paragraphs,  and  with  two  amendments,  was  passed. 

Ordered,  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  informed  thereof  by 
Mr.  Bisect;  who  returned,  and  reported,  that  they  concurred  with 
the  amendments  proposed  by  this  House. 

The  House  went  into  conference  with  the  House  of  Bishops  on 
the  state  of  the  church. 

^Vhen  the  Bishops  withdrew,  the  President  reported,  that  the 
iwo  Houses  had  agreed  to  appoint  a  joint  committee  to  compare 
the  printed  edition  of  the  book  of  common  prayer  with  the  original 
acts  of  the  last  General  Convention,  where  they  may  judge  it  ne- 
cessary, and  to  prepare  a  mode  of  authenticating  the  book  by  some 
certain  standard,  and  of  publishing  future  editions  of  the  same  in 
the  churches  in  the  different  states. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev. 
Mr.  Jarvis,  Col.  Ogden,  John  De  Hart,  Esquire',  and  Dr.  Hind- 
man,  be  a  committee  on  the  part  of  this  House  for  the  above  pur- 
pose. 

Tire  President  also  reported,  tliat  the  two  Houses  had  agreed 
to  appoint  a  joint  committee  for  preparing  a  plan  of  supporting 
missionaries  to  preach  the  gospel  on  the  frontiers  of  the  United 
dtatesw 


119 

Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  Rev.  Mr.  Bowden,  Rev. 
5Ir.  M'Croskey,  Rev.  ]\Ir.  Frost,  Samuel  Marsh,  Esq.  Dr.  Mar- 
tin, Major  Lloyd,  and  Mr.  Campbell,  be  a  committee  on  the  part 
of  this  House  for  the  above  purpose. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer,  Rev.  Mr.  Coleman,  Mr.  Andrews,  and 
Mr.  IMarsh,  had  leave  of  absence  after  to-morrow  morning. 

Resolved^  That  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Couveniion  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia ;  and  that  the  House  of  Bishops 
be  requested  to  appoint  one  of  their  body  to  open  the  Convention 
with  a  sermon. 

Ordered^  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Frost  communicate  to  the  House 
of  Bishops  the  above  resolve  and  appointment  of  committees. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  the  House,  that  they  had  ap- 
pointed Bishops  Seabury  and  White,  a  committee  to  act  in  con- 
junction with  the  committee  appointed  by  this  House,  to  compare 
the  book  of  common  prayer  with  the  original  acts,  &c.  and  Bishops 
Madison  and  Claggett  a  committee  to  act  with  the  commiitee  ap- 
pointed for  preparing  a  plan  of  supporting  missionaries,  &c. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops  alterations  of 
the  form  and  manner  of  making  Deacons. 

Ordered^  That  they  be  read. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house,  that  they  agreed  to  the  resolve  of  holding  the  next 
meeting  of  the  General  Convention  in  Philadelphia,  and  that  they 
had  appointed  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provoost  to  open  the  Conven- 
tion with  a  sermon. 

The  form  of  making  Deacons  was  again  taken  up  and  consider- 
ed by  paragraphs,  and,  with  some  amendments,  was  agreed  to. 

Ordered^  That  Mr.  Bisset  carry  it  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and 
request  their  concurrence  with  the  amendments  proposed. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  the  house,  that  they  concurred 
with  the  amendments  proposed  to  the  form  of  making  Deacons. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops  additional 
canons,  and  a  resolve  for  printing  in  one  book,  the  form  of  ordain- 
ing Deacons,  Priests,  and  Bishops. 

Ordered,  That  the  canons  be  read. 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  9  o^ clocks  A.  M. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw  read  prayers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  from  the  committee  appointed  for  com- 
paring the  printed  edition  of  the  book  of  common  pra)  er,  with  the 
original  act,  &c.  brought  in  a  report,  which  was  read,  and  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  from  the  committee  appointed  for  pre- 
paring a  plan  for  supporting  missionaries,  &c.  brought  in  a  report, 
which  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 


120 

The  additional  candns  were  again  taken,  up,  and  considered  by 
paragraphs. 

Six  additional  canons  were,  with  amendments,  agreed  to  awd 
enacted  :  and,  with  an  amendment  of  the  7th  canon,  ordered  to  be 
sent,  by  Mr.  Bisset,  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  their  coneurrence 
in  the  amendments  of  this  House. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  the  house,  that  they  cortcarred 
with  the  amendments  proposed  by  this  house  to  the  cartans,  tac- 
ceptto  the  amendment  to  the  4th.  '<i 

Resolved^  That  the  house  concur  with  the  resolve  of  the  HoUsfC 
of  Bishops,  for  printing  in  one  book,  the  form  of  ordaining  Dea- 
cons, Priests,  and  Bishops,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  be  ap- 
pointed, on  the  part  of  this  house,  for  that  purpose. 

Resolved^  That  the  house  adhere  to  their  amendment  of  the  4tfe 
canon ;  and  that  Col.  Ogden  inform  the  house  of  Bishops  thereof. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  book  of  corarttoft  prayed, 
was  again  taken  up,  and  eonsidered  by  paragraphs,  and  wit^ 
amendments,  sent  by  the  Secretary  to  the  House  of  Bishops  iot 
their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  the  house,  that  tbey  recede 
from  their  disagreement  to  the  amendment  of  the  4th  canon,,  dnd 
agree  to  the  resolve  respecting  the  negative  of  the  House  of  Bi- 
ifehops. 

•  The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  plan  for  supporting  vaiiif- 
sibnaries,  &c.  was  again  taken  up  and  considered  by  paragraphs', 
and  some  amendments  were  proposed  and  agreed  to.  ") 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing, 
that  a  joint  committee  be  appointed  for  publishing  journaU  of  tfhc 
hffo  houses,  and  that  the  lists  of  Clergy  be  printed  in  an  appendix. 

'I'he  Hev.  Dr.  Bowie,  and  Dr.  Hindman  obtained  leave  of  ab*- 
sence.    ' 

A-djoUrJied  to  5  o^clock,  P.  M. 

■  Five  o'clock^  1  ^  3L 

The  house  met,  and  proceeded  in  the  considerStion  o£  the  re- 
port on  the  plan  for  supporting  missionaries.  Sec.  which  was  agreed 
to  with  amendments;  and)  the  Secretary  was  desired  to  carry  it 
to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

Ordered^  That  the  presiding  Bishop  be  requested  to  forward 
to  his  Grace,  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  thirty  copies  of  the 
journal  for  his  use,  and  for  the  use  of  the  Right-Ke*.  -^  Bishops 
of  England.  "  -i'i 

The  house  proceeded  to  appoint  a  standing  c6ra!mi*tee,  aod  the 
following  gentlemen  were  chosen: 

For  New  Hampshire,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Livermore* 

For  ^lassachusetts,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker. 

For  Rhode  Island,  the  Rev.  WiUiam  Smith. 

For  Connecticut,  the  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis. 


V21 

For  New  York,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Br.  Beach,  Rich- 
ard Harrison,  Esquire. 

For  New  Jersey,  the  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  Mr.  J.  M.  Wallace, 
Colonel  Ogden. 

For  Pennsylvania,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell, 
Rev  Mr.  Pilmore,  Hon.  Mr.  Powell,  Dr.  Rash,  Mr.  John 
W  ilcocks. 

For  Delaware,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thorne,  Nicholas  Ridgely,  Esq. 
For  Maryland,  the  Rev.  .Tohn  Bisset,  Major  Lloyd. 
For  Virginia,  Rev.  Mr.  M'Croskey.  Robert  Andrews,  Esq. 
For  South  Carolina,  the  Rev.  Dr    Smith,  Hon.  Mr.  Izard. 
Ordered,  That  the  President  of  this  house  is  chairman  of  the 
above  committee;  and  is  empowered  to  call  together  the  members. 
The  house  of  Bishops  proposed  an  amendment  to   the    report 
respecting  missionaries,  which  was  agreed  to. 

The  house  proceeded  to  appoint  a  committee,  for  carrying  into 
effect  the  act  respecting  missionaries  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith, 
Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  Rev,  Dr.  Blackwell,  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews,  Hon. 
Mr.  Powell,  Mr.  John  Wood,  and  Dr.  Rush,  were  chosen. 
Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  inform  the  house  of  Bishops  thereof. 
The  house  of  Bishops  informed  the  house,  that  they  agree  to 
the  amendment  of  the  7th  canon  of  the  last  Convention,  and  pro- 
pose that  the  annexed  certificate  be  altered,  to  correspond  with 
it ;  and  th  it  the  canons,  so  altered,  be  published  as  a  canon  of 
this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  proposal  be  agreed  to. 
The  house  proceeded  to  appoint  a  committee,  on  the  part  of 
this  house,  for  publishing  and  authenticating  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer,  agreeably  to  an  act  of  Convention  passed  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  and  Dr. 
Johnson  were  chosen. 

Ordered^  That  the  house  of  Bishops  be  informed  thereof  by  the 
Secretary,  who  reported,  that  they  had  appointed  the  Right  Rev* 
Dr.  Provoost. 

Resolved  unanimoiish/.  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given 
to  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  New  York  for  the  use  of  the  City 
Hall ;  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and  Colonel  Giles  communi- 
oate  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  and  the 
Secretary,  be  a  committee  on  the  part  of  this  house,  for  revising, 
correcting,  and  publishing  the  Journals. 

Ordered,  That  one  thousand  copies  of  the  Journals  be  printed. 
Resolved,  'I'hat  the  thanks  of  the  house  be  given  to  the  Presi- 
^nt  and  Secretary  for  their  attention  and  services. 
The  house  rose. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 
Attest.     J.  Bisset,  Secretary. 

B 


122 
:rOURNAL 

OF  THE 

HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

Wew  York,  September  lltk,  1792. 

THE  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  states  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island-, 
attended  in  Trinity  Church,  at  10  o'clock,  A.M.  and,  after 
prayers, 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  ten  o^clock^\X.  M. 

The  members  met :  present,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  Right 
Rev.  Dr.  Provoost,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  New  York  j  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  Pennsylvania  ;  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Ma- 
dison, Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia. 

They  then  attended  divine  service.  The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Ma- 
dison read  prayers,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury  preached, 
agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  last  General  Convention. 

After  divine  service  they  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  Secre- 
tary ;  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Keene  was  appointed,  pro  tempore. 

The  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  informed  the  Bishops 
that  they  were  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business ;  and 
that  they  propose  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  as  the  stated  hour  of 
meeting. 

The  Bishops  agreed  to  meet  at  the  same  hour,  and  desired  their 
Secretary  to  notify  the  same  to  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

The  Bishops  took  into  consideration  the  form  and  manner  of 
making,  ordaining,  and  consecrating  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Dea- 
cons ;  and,  after  some  deliberation,  agreed  to  postpone  the  farther 
consideration  thereof  till  Friday  next.     Adjourned. 

Thursday,  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  Bishops  met,  and  attended  prayers  in  the  house  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  first  rule  for  the  government  of  the  house  of  Bishops,  as 
agreed  on  at  the  last  Convention,  was  re-considered. 

Resolved^  That  the  said  rule  be  rescinded — that  the  following 
be  adopted  instead  thereof,  viz  : — The  office  of  President  of  this 
house  shall  be  held  in  rotation,  beginning  from  the  north ;  refer- 


123 

ence  being  had  to  the  presidency  of  this  house  in  the  last  Con- 
vention. 

In  consequence  ot  the  above  rule,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provoost 
took  the  chair.     Adjourned. 

Friday,  ten  o* clocks  A.  M. 

The  house  met :  present,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provoost,  Right 
Rev.  Dr.  Seabury,  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  and  Right  Rev.  Dr. 
31adison  ;  and  attended  prayers  in  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

The  house  went  into  the  consideration  of  the  form  and  manner 
of  making,  ordaining,  amd  consecrating  Bishop?,  Priests,  and 
Deacons,  agreeably  to  the  postponement  of  Wednesday  last. 

A  message  being  received  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  informing  this  house,  that 
they  had  appointed  a  committee  to  apply  for  the  use  of  an  apart- 
ment in  the  City  Hall ;  and  that,  if  it  meet  with  the  concurrence 
of  this  house,  application  will  also  be  made  for  another  apartment 
to  accommodate  the  Bishops. 

Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  be  requested  to  inform  the 
house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  this  house  do  concur  in 
their  proposition. 

The  house  proceeded  in  the  consideration  of  the  form  of  or- 
daining or  consecrating  a  Bishop  ;  and,  having  agreed  on  sundry 
alterations  of  the  same,  appointed  Bishops  White  and  Madison  a 
committee  to  prepare  a  draft  of  the  said  alterations,  to  be  laid  be- 
fore the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to-morrow  morning. 

Adjourned. 

Saturday  Morning. 

The  house  met ;  present,  as  yesterday. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Keene 
being  obliged  to  resign  the  office  of  Secretary,  the  Rev.  L.  Cut- 
ling  was  chosen  in  his  stead. 

The  house  received  a  message  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  that 
rooms  were  prepared  in  the  City  Hall  for  the  reception  of  the  two 
houses  of  Convention. 

The  house  received  a  message  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  asking 
this  house  to  concur  with  them  in  thanking  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Seabury  for  his  sermon  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  Conven- 
tion, and  in  requesting  a  copy  of  the  same  to  be  printed. 

Resolved^  That  this  house  concurs  with  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  in  thanking  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Seabury 
for  his  sermon  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  Convention,  and  in 
requesting  a  copy  of  the  same  to  be  printed. 

The  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the  state  of  Marvland, 
presented  to  this  house  the  Rev.  Thomas  John  Claggett,  D.  D, 
as  Bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  the  said  state,  requesting  that  his 
consecration  might  be  expedited.     The  said  deputies  laid  before 


124 

the  house  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention  held  in  Annapolis, 
in  May,  1792,  respecting;  the  election  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Claggett, 
together  with  the  certificates  required  by  the  2d  cinon. 

Adjourned  to  the  Senate  Chamber  in  the  City  Hall,  agreeably 
to  the  determination  of  yesterday. 

Senate  Chambi  r,  City  Halt. 

The  committee  leported  a  draft  of  the  alterations  in  the  conse' 
oration  service. 

The  house  received  a  message  from  the  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  Hon.  Mr.  Lloyd,  requesting  a  conference  with 
them  on  the  general  state  of  the  church. 

Resolved^  That  the  alterations  in  the  consecration  service  be 
sent  to  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for  their  concur- 
rence ;  and  that  they  be  informed,  this  house  is  now  ready  to 
meet  them  in  their  room  on  the  proposed  conference. 

The  house  went  into  a  conference  with  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  in  which  the  President  of  this  house  was  re- 
quested to  take  the  chair,  when  the  foilowing  motion  was  made  : 

Agreed,  that  as  the  churches  in  some  of  the  states  are  not  re- 
presented in  this  Convention,  and  others  only  partially,  the  consi- 
deration of  the  articles  of  religion  be  postponed  until  the  next 
General  Convention  ; — which  passed  in  the  negative  in  the  house 
of  Bishops,  and  in  the  affirmative  in  the  house  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  having  considered  the  testimonials  respecting  the 
election  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Claggctt,  and  found  them  satisfactor5% 

Resolved^  That  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  John 
Claggett  take  place  on  Monday  morning  at  half  past  ten. 

Adjourned. 

Monday  Morning,  nine  o'clock. 

House  met.     Present,  as  on  Saturday. 

The  house  took  under  consideraiion  the  offices  for  ordaining 
Priests  and  Deacons,  and  having  made  some  advance  therein, 
proceeded  to  Trinity  Church,  to  the  consecration  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  John  Claggett,  D.  D.  and,  after  divine  service,  return- 
ed to  their  house,  when  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  took  his 
seat. 

A  message  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  re- 
porting, that  they  concurred  with  the  house  of  Bishops  in  their 
alterations  in  the  form  of  consecrating  Bishops. 

A  message  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  re- 
questing a  conference  between  the  two  houses  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, at  half  past  nine  o'clock. 

In  consideration  of  the  resolve  of  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  respecting  the  articles,  this  house  agree  to  postpone  the 
9am&. 


125 

Resolved^  That  a  record  of  the  certificate  of  the  consecration  of 
thf  li.ght  H(.v.  Bishop  Claggett,  be  cntt  red  on  the  Journals  of 
this  house  ;  and  that  the  Rector,  Church  Wardens,  and  A^estry 
of  TrinitN-  Church,  be  requested  to  enter  it  on  their  church  book. 

Resolved^  'W.xX.  it  be  proposed  to  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
D.  puties,  to  publish,  in  one  book,  the  form  and  manner  of  mak- 
ing, ordaining,  and  consecrating  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons, 
conformably  to  the  alterations  agreed  on  between  the  two  houses. 

Adjourned  till  half  past  nine  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday  Morning,  half  past  nine. 

House  met :  present,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishops  Provoost,  Sea- 
burv,   White,  Madison,  and  Claggett. 

Tlie  house  oiiginated  certain  canons,  and  sent  them  to  the 
house  ot  Clerical  and  liny  Deputies  for  th.  ir  concurrence. 

'Ihe  house  received  a  message  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  from 
the  house  of  Clerical  and  L..iy  Deputies,  proposing  two  amend- 
ments in  the  office  for  ordaining  Priests  ;  to  both  which  the  house 
agreed. 

The  house  went  into  a  conference  with  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies.  The  President  of  this  house  was  requested 
to  take  the  chair,  in  which  conference  the  following  propositions 
were  agreed  to. 

Resolved^  That  a  joint  committee  be  appointed  to  compare  the 
printed  edition  of  the  common  prayer  book  with  the  original  acts 
ofthel;Tst  General  Convention,  where  they  may  judge  it  neces- 
sary ;  and  to  adopt  a  mode  of  authenticating  the  book  by  some 
certain  standard,  and  for  publishing  future  editions  of  the  same  in 
the  churches  of  the  different  states. 

Resolved^  That  a  joint  committee  of  both  houses  be  appointed 
to  report  a  plan  for  supporting  missionaries  to  preach  the  gospel 
on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Bishops  Seabury  and  White,  be 
a  committee  from  this  house  on  the  first  proposition  ;  and  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishops  Madison  and  Claggett  be  a  committee  on  the 
last. 

The  house  received  a  message  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  proposing  that  the  next  General  Convention  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  this  house  would  ap- 
point one  of  their  body  to  open  the  Convention  with  a  sermon  ; 

Resolved^  That  this  house  agree  to  the  above,  and  request  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost  to  preach  the  sermon. 

The  house  originated  alterations  in  the  office  for  ordaininj"- 
Deacons,  and  alterations  of  the  preface,  and  of  the  title  of  the  book 
of  ordination  and  consecration,  and  sent  them  to  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  requesting  their  concurrence. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, amendments  to  the  additions  in  the  office  for  ordaining 
Deacons,  and  in  the  preface  ;  in  which  the  house  concurred- 

Adjourned. 


126 

Wednesday,  September  19. 

The  house  met :  Present,  as  yesterday,  except  Bishop  Clag- 
gett. 

The  house  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
I^ay  Deputies,  asking  the  concurrence  of  the  house  in  a  resolve  of 
thanks  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  tor  his  sennon  delivered  before 
them  on  the  occasion  of  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Claggett,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication. 

Resolved^  That  this  house  concur  in  the  same.  The  committee 
appointed  yesterday  to  compare  the  printed  edition,  &c.  also  the 
committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  for  supporting  missionaries 
to  preach  the  Gospel  on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  made 
report. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  members  of  this  house  deliver  to  the 
Secretary,  the  lists  of  the  Clergy  of  their  respective  diocesses,  and 
that  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  be  requested  to  send 
to  this  house  the  lists  from  the  several  states  in  which  there  are 
no  Bishops,  agreeably  to  the  16th  canon,  and  that  the  said  lists  be 
printed  as  an  appendix  to  the  journal. 

This  house  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  deputies,  proposing  as  follows; 

That  it  be  made  known  to  the  several  state  Conventions,  that 
it  is  proposed  to  consider  and  determine,  in  the  next  General  Con- 
vention, on  the  propriety  of  investing  the  House  of  Bishops  with 
A  full  negative  on  the  proceedings  of  the  other  house. 

This  house  concurs  in  the  above,  and  agrees  to  the  amendment 
of  the  4th  canon. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, their  concurrence  with  the  proposal  concerning  the  publi- 
cation of  the  ordination  and  consecration  services.  In  that  pro- 
posal, the  President  of  this  house  was  named  on  the  joint  com- 
mittee by  this  house,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  is  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, amendments  of  the  report  of  the  joint  committee  to  com- 
pare the  printed  edition  of  the  prayer  book,  &c-  to  which  this 
house  agreed,  and  passed  the  report. 

The  House  sent  information  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  that  they  propose  to  adjourn  to  6  o'clock  this  evening. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, amendments  of  the  report  of  the  joint  committee,  on  the 
plan  for  supporting  missionaries  to  preach  the  Gospel  on  the  iVon* 
tiers  of  the  United  States,  to  which  this  house  proposed  an  addi- 
tion. 

The  house  also  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  a  proposal  of-i?ending  journals  of  this  Convention  to  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  for  the  purpose  of  informing  his  Grace, 
and  the  other  Prelates  of  England,  of  the  state  and  proceedings  of 
this  chuBch. 


127 

Resolved^  That  the  house  concur  therein. 

''I'he  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  concurred  In  the  report 
of  the  plan  for  the  support  of  missionaries,  &c.  and  named  the 
requisite  committee,  with  which  this  house  agreed. 

The  House  received  a  proposal  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  for  printing  one  thousand  copies  of  the  journal  i 
also,  a  message  as  to  the  mode  of  authenticating  the  acts  of  the 
Convention.  This  house  agreed  to  th■^  foi  nicr,  and  proposed  the 
acts  to  be  authenticated  by  the  signatures  of  the  presidents  of  the 
respective  houses. 

The  house  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  with  information,  that  they  had  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  superintend  the  priming  a  correct  edition  of  the  common 
prayer  book,  requesting  that  a  committee  be  appointed  from  this 
house  for  the  same  purpose  j  when  Bishop  Provoost  was  accord- 
ingly appointed. 

A  message  reporting,  that  the-  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties concur  with  the  proposal  respecting  the  7th  canon. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, their  concurrence  to  the  proposal  for  printing  a  list  of  the 
Clergy,  in  an  appendix  to  the  journal. 

A  message  was  received  desiring  the  concurrence  of  this  house, 
to  the  appointing  a  committee  for  printing  their  journal,  when 
Bishop  Provoost  was  appointed. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given  to 
the  Rev.  L.  Cutting,  for  his  services  as  secretary. 

The  house  rose. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops, 

SAMUEL  PROVOOST,  President. 
Attest.     L.  Cutting,  Secretary. 

The  Cei-tificate  of  the     Consecration  of  the  Right  Rev,  Bishop 
Claggctt,  is  asfolloxus: 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we  Samuel  Provoost, 
D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  state  of 
New  York,  presiding  Bishop:  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.  Bishop  of 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island ;  William  AVhite,  D.  D.  Bishop  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania ;  James  Madison,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church  in  the  state  of  Virginia;  under  the  protection  of 
Almignty  God,  in  Trinity  church  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on 
Monday  the  seventeenth  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-two,  did  then  and  there 
rightly  and  cauonically  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Thomas 
John  Claggett,  D.  D.  late  Rector  of  St.  James's  parish  in 
the    state  of  Maryland,  of  whose  sufficiency  in  good  learning, 


128 

soundness  in  the  faith,  and  purity  of  manners,  we  were  fully  as- 
certained, into  the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  in  the  said  state,  to  which  the  said  Thomas  John  Claggett 
hath  been  el  cted  by  the  Convention  of  the  said  state.  In  testi- 
mony whereof  we  have  signed  our  names  and  caused  our  seals  to 
be  affixed.  Givi  n  in  the  city  of  New  York  this  nineteenth  day  of 
September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  ninety-two. 

SAMUEL  PHOVOOST,  (L.  S.) 

S.  SEABURY,  (L.  S.) 

WM.  WHITF.,  (L.  S  ) 

J.  MADISON,  (L.  S.) 

A  true  copy  of  the  certificate  of  the  consecration  of  the  Right 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  John  Claggett,  as  compared  with  the  original, 

by 

LEOC.  CUTTING,  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Bishops. 
J.  BIS  SET,  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

ADDITIONAL  CANONS. 

I. 

FOR  a  more  full  accomplishment  of  the  good  purposes  to  be 
answered  by  the  16th  canon,  enacted  by  the  last  General  Conven- 
tion, it  is  hereby  required,  that  every  Clergyman  claiming  to  be  a 
Minister  of  this  church,  shall  deliver  in  his  name  to  the  Bishop, 
or  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  chairman  or  some  member  of  the 
standing  committee,  of  the  church  in  the  state  in  which  he  resides, 
on  or  before  Easter  Monday,  1793  ;  or,  if  he  be  not  within  any 
of  the  states  which  have  acceded  to  the  constitution  of  this  church, 
then  within  three  months  after  he  shall  come  to  reside  in  any  of  the 
said  states.  And  every  clergyman,  during  his  neglect  of  confor- 
formity  to  this  canon,  shall  not  be  known  as  a  Clergyman  of  this 
church,  or  be  admitted  to  minister  in  any  offices  of  the  same. 

IL 

If  a  Clergyman  of  the  church  in  any  diocese  or  district  within 
this  union,  shall,  in  any  other  diocese  or  district,  conduct  himself 
in  such  a  way  as  is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  this  church,  and  dis- 
graceful to  his  office ;  the  Bishop,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the 
standing  committee,  shall  give  notice  thereof  to  the  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  the  diocese  or  district  to  which  such  offender  belongs, 
exhibiting,  with  the  information  given,  the  proofs  of  the  charges 
made  against  him. 

13  L 

AYheneyer  a  Clergyman  shall  be  degraded,  agreeably  to  the 
canons  of  any  particular  chureh  in  the  union,  the  Bishop  who 


129 

pronounces  sentence,  shall,  without  delay,  cause  the  sentence  of 
degradation  to  be  published  from  every  pulpit  where  there  may 
be  an  officiating  minister,  throughout  the  diocese  or  district  in 
which  the  degraded  minister  resided ;  and  also  shall  give  infor- 
mation of  the  sentence  to  all  the  Bishops  of  this  church ;  and, 
where  there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing  committee. 

IV. 

In  regard  to  the  first  certificate  required  in  favour  of  a  Bishop 
elect,  by  the  2d  canon  of  the  last  General  Convention,  and  the 
certificate  required  in  favour  of  a  candidate  for  Priest's  or  Dea- 
con's orders,  by  the  6th  canon ;  if  there  be  any  members  of  the 
bodies  respectively  concerned  who  have  not  the  requisite  personal 
knowledge  of  the  parties,  such  persons  may  prefix  the  following 
declaration  to  their  signatures  : 

WE  believe  the  testimony  contained  in  the  above  Certijicate ;  and 
rue  join  in  the  recommendation  of  \.  B.  to  the  offce  of on  suf- 
ficient evidence  o^ered  to  us  of  the  facts  set  forth. 

Provided,  That  in  the  case  of  a  Priest  or  Deacon^  trvo  at  least 
of  the  standing  comtnittee  sign  the  same^  as  being  personally  ac- 
quainted with  the  ca7ididate. 

V. 

No  stranger  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  in  any  congregation 
of  this  church,  without  first  producing  the  evidences  of  his  being 
a  minister  thereof  to  the  minister,  or,  in  case  of  vacancy  or  ab- 
sence, to  the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  con- 
gregation. And  in  case  any  person  not  regularly  ordained  shall 
assume  the  ministerial  office,  and  perform  any  of  the  duties  there- 
of in  this  church,  the  minister,  or  in  case  of  vacancy  or  absence, 
the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  congregation 
where  such  offence  may  be  committed,  shall  cause  the  name  of 
such  person,  together  with  the  offence,  to  be  published  in  as  many 
of  the  public  papers  as  may  be  convenient. 

VI. 

No  clergyman  belonging  to  this  church  shall  officiate,  eitlwrby 
preaching  or  reading  prayers  in  the  parish,  or  within  the  paro- 
chial cure  of  another  clergyman,  unless  he  have  received  express 
permission  for  that  purpose  from  the  minister  of  the  parish  or 
cure,  or,  in  his  absence,  from  the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or 
trustees  of  the  congregation. 

The  seventh  Canon  of  the  last  General  Convention,  as  altered  and 
amended  by  this  Convention. 

Of  the  Learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  Ordained. 

^  NO  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church,  until  he  shall  have 
satisfied  the  Bishop,  and  the  two  Presbyters  by  whom  he  shall  be 

vS 


130 

examined,  that  he  is  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  the  original  Greek,  pnd  can  give  an  account  of  his  faith 
in  the  Latin  tongue,  either  in  writing  or  otherwise,  as  may  be  re- 
quired, and  that  he  hath  a  competent  knowledge  of  moral  philo- 
sophy, church  history,  and  the  belles  lettres,  and  hath  paid  at- 
tention to  rhetoric  and  pulpit  eloquence,  as  the  means  of  giving 
additional  efficacy  to  his  labours  ;  unless  it  shall  be  recommend- 
ed to  the  Bishop  by  two-thirds  of  the  State  Convention  to  which 
he  belongs,  to  dispense  with  the  aforesaid  requisition,  in  whole 
or  in  part :  which  recommendation  shall  only  be  for  good  causes 
moving  thereto,  and  shall  be  in  the  following  words,  with  the 
signature  of  the  names  of  the  majority  of  such  Convention  : 

We,  whose  names  are  unc^erwritten,  are  of  opinion,  that  the 
dispensing  with  tht  knowledge  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages, 
[or  either  of  the  other  requisites  specified  in  the  seventh  canon,  as 
the  case  may  be]  in  the  examination  of  A.  B.  for  holy  orders, 
will  be  oi  use  to  the  church  of  which  we  are  the  Convention,  in 
consideration  of  other  qualifications  of  the  said  A.  B.  for  the  Gos- 
pel Ministry. 

Enacted  September  19th,  1792. 

House  of  Bishops^ 

S  iMUEL  PROVOOST,  President. 
Attest.     L.  Cutting,  Secretary, 

House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 
Attest.    J.  Bisset,  Secretary. 

An  Act  of  the  General  Convention,  for  supporting  jMissio7iaries  to 
preach  the  Gospel  on  the  Frontiers  of  the  United  States, 

1.  RESOLVED,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ministers 
of  this  church  to  preach  a  sermon  in  each  of  the  churches  under 
their  care,  on  the  first  Sunday  of  September  in  every  year;  and, 
if  that  day  should  not  be  adapted  to  the  purpose,  then  on  such 
other  Sunday  as  the  minister  and  vestry  or  trustees  of  the  con- 
gregation shall  appoint,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  money  in 
order  to  carry  into  effect  this  charitable  design. 

2.  That  the  money  so  collected,  be  entered  in  a  record  to  be 
kept  by  the  vestries  or  trustees  of  each  congregation  ;  and  by  the 
minister  and  church  wardens  or  trustees,  be  delivered  to  a  trea- 
surer appointed  by  each  State  Convention,  and,  by  him  transmit- 
ted to  a  treasurer  who  shall  be  appointed  as  herein  after  directed. 

3.  That  such  Missionaries  as  may  be  employed  by  this  church, 
be  authorized  to  make  collections  of  money  fi'om  such  congrega- 
tions on  the  Frontiers  as  may  contribute,  and  render  an  accurate 
account  to  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  standing  committee  to  be  appointed  by  this  Convention,  of 
the  sums  thus  collected. 


131 

4.  That  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
said  standing  committee,  frame  an  address  to  the  members  of  this 
church,  recommending  this  charitable  design  to  their  particular 
attention ;  which  address  shall  be  read  by  every  minister  on  the 
day  appointed  for  the  collection. 

5.  That  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  said 
standing  committee,  have  authority  to  appoint  a  secretary  and  a 
treasurer  ;  the  first  to  carry  on  the  correspondence,  and  the  other 
to  keep  the  accounts  and  the  moneys  of  the  institution. 

6.  That  when  it  shall  appear  to  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in 
Peiiusylvania,  and  the  standing  committee  to  be  appointed  as 
aforesaid,  that  sufficient  funds  have  been  provided  for  the  above 
purpose,  thfey  shall  then  employ  such  Missionaries,  allow  such  sa- 
laries, and  make  such  arrangements,  as  to  them  shall  seem  best ; 
reporting  regularly  their  proceedings  to  each  General  Convention. 

An  Act  of  the  General  Convention^  for  publishing  future  Editions 
of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  in  the  Churches  in  the  differ- 
ent States, 

RESOLVED,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  by  the  Ge- 
neral Convention  for  the  purpose  of  publishing  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer,  and  securing  the  copy  right  to  them  and  their  as- 
signs, in  trust  for  the  Convention ;  and  that  this  committee  be 
empowered  and  directed  to  convey  a  right  to  print  the  book  to 
any  printer  or  printers  in  any  of  the  states,  who  may  be  recom- 
mended for  that  purpose  by  the  state  Convention,  or  their  stand- 
ing committee,  free  from  any  premium  for  copy  right ;  such 
State  Convention  or  standing  committee  to  superintend,  and  cor- 
rect the  press  according  to  the  standard  book. 

(0*  The  Rev.  J.  L.  Wilson^  Clerical  Deputy  from  the  State  of 
North  Carolina^  having'  been  detained  by  contrary  winds,  did 
not  arrive  in  the  city  of  New  Tork  till  the  2Sth  instant,  the  Con- 
vention having  risen  a  few  days  before. 

J.  BISSET,  Sec'rv. 


APPENDIX. 

List  of  the  Clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  delivered  in 
and  published,  agreeably  to  the  16th  Canon  of  the  last  GeJieral 
Convention. 

From  NEW  HAMPSfflRE  and  MASSACHUSETTS,  no  list'-vas  delivered  in. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 
THE  Rev,  Moses  Badger,  Rector  of    The  Rev.  William  Smith,  Rector  of  Tri- 
Kiijg's  church.  Providence.  nity  chuxch,  Newport. 


132 


Co'nv£cticnt. 
♦Jhe  Kev. Ebenezer  Dibble,  Rector  of  St. 

John's  church,  Stamford. 
Jiev.  George  Ogilvie,  St.  Paul's  church, 

Norualk. 
Rev.  Philo  Shelton,  Stratfield. 
"Rev.  Dr.  Bela  Hubbard,  Trinity  church. 

New  Haven. 
Rev.  Philo  Perry,  Christ  church,  New- 
town. 
Rev.  David  Periy,  Reading,  &c. 

Rev. Marsh,  New  Milfbrd. 

Bev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Litchiield,. 
Rev.    Ambrose  Todd,  Symsbury. 
Rev.  Abraham  Lynsen  Clarke,  Hunting- 
ton. 
Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Mansfield,  Derby. 
Kev.  Reuben  Ives,  Clicshire. 
Rev.  Dr.  Abraham  Jarvis,  Christ  cliurch, 

Middlclon. 
Rev,  Daniel  Fog'g,  Brooklyn. 
Rev.  John  Tyler,  Christ  cliurch,  Nor- 
wich. 

Rev. Prindle,  Westbury. 

Rev.  John  Bowden,  residing  at  Stratf()rd. 
Rev.  Edward  Blakslee,  Deacon,  Wood- 
bridge. 
Rev.  Solomon   Blakslee,   Deacon,  East 
Haddam.^ 

Rev.  David  Belden,  Deacon, . 

Rev.  Seth  Hart,  Deacon,  Waterbury. 
Kev.  David  Butlex",  Deacon,  North  Guil- 
ford. 

JVew  York. 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Learning,  P.  D.  residing 

in  New  York. 
Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.    Assistant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Mqore,  D.  D.    Asaislant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New  York. 
Rev.  Thomas  L.  Moore,   Rector  of  St. 
(ieorge's  church.  South  Hempstead. 
Kiev.  Thomas  Ellison,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Albany. 
Rtv.  Kichai'd  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St. 

Andrew's  church,  Staten  Ishuid. 
Rev.  Daniel  Foote,  Rector  of  the  United 

churches  at  Hye  and  White  Plains. 
Rev.  George  H-  Spierin,  Rector  of  the 
United  churches   at  Newburgh  and 
WallkiU. 
Rev.  Ellas  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Phiiipsburgh. 
Rev    Andrew    Fowler,    Rector   of  the 
United  churches  at  Peek's  Kill  and 
Highlands, 
Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  Rector  of  the 

church  at  New  Rochelle. 
Rev.  William  Hapimel,  Rector  of  the 
United  churches   at  Jamaica,    New- 
town, and  Flushing. 
..pev,  r-TT^Hull,  Rector  ofth^  chvirgh  at 
Brooklyn. 
I^ev.  Aniini  Rogers,  Rfftoj-  of  the  Uni' 


ted    chtifches    at    Schenectady   and 

Ballstown 
Rev.  Bostwick,   officiates   every 

third  .Sunday  at  Hudson. 
Rev.  James   Nicholls,    officiates    every 

third  Sunday  at  Camden. 
Rev.    Daniel    Barber,    officiates    every 

third  Sunday  at  Kingsbury. 
Rev,  Elisha  D.  Rattoone,  Pi-ofessor  of  the 

Greek  and  Latin  languages  in  Colum- 
bia college. 
Rev.  Samuel  Nesbit,  residing  in   New 

York. 

JWw  Jersey. 

Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Trimty 
church,  Newark.        ^^■ 

Rev.  Samuel  Spraggs,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Ehzabethtown. 

Rev.  Henry  Y'an  Dyke,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's  church,  Amboy,  and  Christ 
Church,  New  Brunswick. 

Rev.  Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Shrewsbur}-,  and  Christ 
church,  Middletown. 

Rev.  Levi  Heath,  Rector  of  St.  Mary's 
cliurch,  Burlington. 

Rev.  William  Frazer,  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Trenton  ;  and  St.  Ajjt- 
drew's  Church,  Artiwell. 

Rev.  John  Croes,   Rector  of  's 

church,  Swedesburgh. 

Rev.  Samuel  Gray,  Rector  of'       's 

church,  Salem. 

Rev.  William  Ayres,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Spotswood. 

Fennsyhmnia. 

Rev.  AViUiam  Smitli;  D.  D. 
Rev.  Samuel  JSJagaw^  D.  D.   Rector  of 
St.  Paul's  church,  Philadelphia. 

Rev.  John  .\ndrews,  D.  p.  Vice  Provost 
of  the  University  of  Penns3lvania. 

Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Assistant 
Minister  of  Christ  churcli  and  St.  Pe- 
ter's, in  tke  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Rev.  Joseph  Hntchins,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Jolin  Campbell,  Rector  of  the 
churches  in  York  and  Huntington. 

Rev.  Josepli  Pilmore,  Assistant  Minis- 
ter of  St.  Paul's  church,  Philadelphia. 

Rev.  Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 
Radnor ;  St.  Peter's  iji  the  Valley ; 
and  St.  Jamtes's,  Perkiomen. 

Rev.  Elisha  Rigg,  Rector  of  St.  James's, 
Lancaster. 

Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson. 

Rev.  Robert  Ayres,  Rector  of.  the 
Episcopal  chiu-ches  in  Redstone,  and 
the  parts  adjacent. 

Rev.  Francis  Reno,  Deacon  in  West- 
moreland county. 

^ev.  Joseph  H.  Turner,  Deacon  in  tlie 
churcl'ies  of  Chester,  Marcus  Hpokj 
and  Coiicord. 


1^  rt 


Rev.  Joseph  Doddridge,  Deacon  in 
Washington  county. 

Delaware. 
Rev.    Robert   Clay,    Emanuel   church, 
New  Castle  county. 

Rev.  Sydenham  Thorne,  Christ 
church,  Kent  county. 

Kev.  William  Skelly,  Chri.st  church, 
Sussex  county. 

J\Tari/land. 

Rev, Brooke,  St.  Mary's  county. 

Rev.  John  W.  Compton,  William  and 
Mary  parish ;  Rev.  John  Weems,  Port 
Tobacco  parish  ;  Rev.  Hatch  Dent,  Tri- 
nity parish,  Charles  county. 

Rev.  Josepli  Messenger,  St.  John's 
parish  ;  Henry  Moscrop,  St.  Anne's  pa- 
rish, Prince  George's  county. 

Rev.  Edward  Gault,  Christ  church 
parish;  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Chew,  All 
Saints  parish,  Calvert  county. 

Rev.  Thomas  J.  Claggett,  D.  D.  St. 
James's  parish ;  Rev.  Walter  M'Pherson, 
All  Hallows  parish  ;  Rev.  Ralph  Higin- 
botham,  St.  Anne's  parish  ;  Re<-.  Mason 
li.  Weems,  St.  Margaret's,  Westmore- 
land parish,  Artfie  Arundel  county. 

Rev.  Thomas  Read,  Prince  George's 
parish,  Montgomery  county. 

Rev.  George  Bower,  All  Saints  parish; 
Rev.  Townshend  Dade,  Frederick  coun- 
ty. 

Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  St.  Raid's 
parish ;  Rev.  Wilham  Duke,  Baltimore 
county. 

Rev.  John  Coleman,  St.  John's  Parish; 
Rev.  John  Ireland,  Harford  county. 

Rev.  John  Bisset,  St.  Stephen's  pa- 
rish,  Cecil  county. 

Rev.'  Archibald  Walker,  Chester  pa- 
rish ;  Rev.  CoUn  J-'erguson,  St.  Paul's 
parish,  Kent  county. 

Samuel  Keene,  D  D.  St.  Luke's  parish ; 
Rev,  Samuel  Keene,  jun.  St.  Paul's  pa- 
rish ;  Rev.  Owen  P.  Magrath,  Christ 
church  parish.  Queen  Anne's  county. 

John  Bowie,  D.  D.  St.  Michael's  pa- 
rish ;  Rev.  James  Conner,  St.  Peter's 
parish,  Talbot  county. 

Rev.  Thomas  Gordon,  St.  Mary's, 
White  Chapel  parish,  Carolina  county. 

Rev.  James  Kemp,  Great  Choptank 
parish,  Dorchester  county. 

Rev.  George  Dasheill,  Stepney  parish ; 
Hamilton  Bell,  Somerset  parish;  Rev. 
Samuel  Tingley,  Coventry  parisl;,  So- 
merset county. 

Rev.  John  White,  All  Hallows  parish, 
Worcester  county. 

Rev.  Thomas  Scott,  one  of  the  tutors 
of  St.  Jolm's  College. 

Vir^ijtia. 

Rev.  Isaac  Da:-neiUe,  Rector  of  Am- 
herst parish. 


Rev.  Alex.^ndcr  Hay,  Rector  of  Antrim 
parish. 

Rev.  Devereux  Jarralt,  Rector  of  Bath 
parish. 

Rev.  Hugh  Corrans  Boggs,  Rector  of 
Berkeley  parish. 

Rev.  Price  Davies,  Rector  of  Brisland 
parish. 

Rev.  John   Cameron,  Rector  of  Bris- 
tol parish. 

Rev.  John  Iredeall,  Rector  of  Broom- 
ficlJ  parish. 

Rev.  Alexander  M'Farland,  Rector  of 
Brunswick  parish. 

Rev.  John  Bracken,  Rector  of  Bruton 
parish. 

Rev.  Samuel  Shield,  Rector  of  Charles 
parish. 

Rev.  Samuel  Klug;  Rev.  David  Ball, 
Christ  Church  parish. 

Rev.  James  Elliott,  Rector  of  Cople 
parish. 

Rev.  James  Craig,  Rector  of  Cumber- 
land parish. 

Rev.   Needier   Robinson,    Rector  of 
Dale  parish. 

Rev.  Spence  Grayson,  Rector  of  Det- 
tingen  parish. 

Rev,  Jesse  Garter,  Rector  of  Drys- 
dale  parish. 

Rev.  Henry  Skyrin,  Rector  of  Eliza- 
beth city  parish. 

Rev.    James  Whitehead,    Rector   ol 
Elizabeth  River  pai'isli. 

Rev.  Brian  Fairfax,  Rector  of  Fah-fax 
parish. 

Rev.  Alexander  Balmain,   Reetor  of 
Frederick's  j)Livish. 

Rev.    Matthew    Maury,    Rector    of 
Frodericksville  parish. 

Rev.  James  Craig,  Rector  of  Hamil- 
ton's parish. 

Rev.  John  Buchanan,  Rector  of  Hen- 
rico parish. 

Rev.  Samuel  S,  M'Croskey,  Rector 
of  Hungars  parish. 

Rev.   James  Thompson,    Rector   of 
Leeds  parish. 

Rev.    Charles    Crawford,  Rector   of 
Lexington  parish. 

Rev.  Elkanah  Talley,  Rector  of  Lit- 
tleton parish. 

Rev.  Isaac  Wm.   Gibern,  Rector  of 
Lunenburg  parish. 

Rev.  Anthony  Walke,  Rector  of  Lyn- 
haven  parish. 

Rev.    William  Cameron,    Rector  of 
Manchester  parish. 

Rev.  John  J.  Spooner,  Rector  of  Mar- 
tins Bnmdon  parish. 

Rev.  William  Hubard,  Rector  of  New- 
port parish. 

Rev.  Henry  J.  Burgess,  Nottoway  pa- 
risb. 


134 


Rer.  Robert  Buchan ,  Rector  of  Over- 
•wharton  parish. 

Rev.    Arthur   Emerson,  Rector    of 
Portsmouth  parish. 

Rev.  John  Brunskili,  Rector  of  Ra- 
leigh parish. 

Rer.  Alexander  Lundie,  Rector  of  St. 
Andrew's  paiish. 

Rev,  John  Matthews,  St.  Anne's  pa- 
rish. 

Rev.   James   Morris,  Rector  of  St. 
Bride's  parish.  ' 

Rev.  Reuben  Clopton,  Rector  of  St. 
Da\'id's  parish. 

Rev.  William  Vere ;  Rev.  John  Wood- 
ville.  Rector  of  St.  George's  parish. 

Rev.  Charles  Hopkins,  Rector  of  St. 
James  Northam  parish 

Rev.  James    Price,    Rector   of    St. 
John's  parish. 

Rev.  Joseph  Gurley,  Rector  of  St. 
Luke's  parish. 

Rev.  Archibald  Dick,  Rector  of  St. 
Margaret's  parish- 
Rev.  James  Stevenson,  Rector  of  St. 
Mark's  parislt. 

Rev.  Peter  Nelson,  St.  Martin's  pa- 
rish. 

Rev.  Abner  Waugh,   Rector   of  St. 
Mary's  parish. 

Rev.  William  Stewart,  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  parish. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Blagrove^,  Rector  of 
St.  Peter's  parish. 


Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  ReCtor  of  St. 

Stephen's  parish. 

Rev.  John  Hyde  Saunders,  Rector  of 
Southam  parish. 

Rev.  Andrew  Sim,  Rector  of  South 
Farnham  parish. 

Rev.  Samuel  Butler,  Rector  of  South- 
wark  parish. 

Rev.  James  Taylor,  Rector  of  Suffolk 
parish. 

Rev.  Lee  Massey,  Rector  of  Truro 
parish. 

Rev.  James  Henderson,  Rector  of 
Westover  parish. 

Rev.  James  Maury  Fontaine,  Rector 
of  Ware  parish. 

Rev.  John  Bryan,  Rector  of  Wicomi- 
co parish. 

South  Carolina. 

Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  Rev.  Mr.  Frost,  Rev. 
Dr.  Pui'cell,  Rev.  Dr.  Gates,  Rev.  Mr. 
Jenkins,  Rev.  Mr.  Nixon,  Master  of  an 
Academy,  Rev.  Mr.  White,  Charleston. 

Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  St.  Andrews. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ellington,  St.  James's,  Goose 
Creek. 

Rev.  Mr.  M'Culley,  St  Luke's. 

Rev.  Mr.  Tate,  St.  Helen's. 

Rev.  Mr.  Sykes,  Pi-ince  George's. 

Rev,  Mr.  Blackwall,  Rev.  Mr.  Ireknd, 
St.  Bartliolomews. 

Rev.  Mr.  Graham,  Edisto. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OF   THB 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OF  THE 


PBOTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OP  AMERICA, 


IN  A 


(©(DSJ^HS^M^KT. 


HELD   IN 


The  City  ot  PhUpdelphia,  from  Tuesday,   September  8th,  to 
Friday,  September  18th,  1795. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 


I  OF  THE 


HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES 


Fron  the  State  of  New  York. 
Rev.  John  Bisset. — ^Rev.  Geoi'ge  H.  Spierin. 

From  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Rev.  Henry  Waddell. — Rev.  John  Croes. — Joshua  M.  Wal- 
lace, Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsijhania. 

Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. — Rev.  John  Andrews,  D.  D — 
Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D — Rev.  Robert  Black  well,  D.  D.— 
Joseph  Swift,  Esquire. — Francis  Gurney,  Esquire.— Mr.  J.  B. 
Gilpin. — Mr.  William  Stevenson. 

From  the  State  of  Delaware, 

Rev^  Joseph  Clarkson. — ^Rev.  George  Dashiell. 

From  the  State  of  Maruland. 

Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend. — Rev.  John  Coleman. — Rev.  James 
Kemp. — Rev.  Samuel  Keene. — Samuel  Johnson,  Esquire. — Da- 
vid Kerr,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Virginia, 

Rev.  Samuel  S.  M'Croskey^  D.  D. — Robert  Andrews,  Esquire. 

From,  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

Rev.  Henry  Purcell,  D.  D. 


JOURNAL 


OF    THE 

JaOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday,  September  8,  1795. 

CLERICAL  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the  churches  in  several 
of  the  states,  assembled  in  Christ  Church  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M« 
and  not  being  a  sufficient  number  to  enter  upon  business, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  members  met,  and  a  quorum  being  formed, 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  read  prayers. 

Resolved,  That  this  house  appoint  a  Secretary  who  is  not  a 
member  :  Whereupon, 

The  Rev.  James  Abercrombie,  second  assistant  minister  of- 
Christ  Church  and  St.  Peter's,  was  unanimously  chosen. 

The  deputies  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  President, 
when  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith  was  unanimously  chosen. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Andrews  inform  the  house  of  Bishops,  that 
this  house  is  now  formed,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

Resolved,  That  the  rules  of  order,  adopted  by  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  last  General  Convention,  be  the 
rules  for  the  government  of  this  house. 

Resolved,  With  the  concurrence  of  the  house  of  Bishops,  that 
Mr.  Swift  be  appointed  to  request  of  the  Mayor,  the  use  of  two 
apartments  in  the  City  Hall,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Con= 
vention,  during  their  present  session. 

The  house  of  Bishops  having  transmitted  to  this  house  a  mes- 
sage, informing,  that  Bishop  Provoost  is  ready  to  preach  before 
the  Convention,  agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  last  General 
Convention,  and  proposing  that  the  delivery  of  the  sermon  be 
postponed  to  Friday  next,  in  order  that  sufficient  notice  may  be 
given. 

Resolved^  That  this  house  agree  to  the  said  proposal,  and  that 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  inform  the  house  of  Bishops  thereof. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  AVallace,  the  Rev  Mr,  Bisset,  the  Rev, 
Mr.  Clarkson,  Mr.  Andrews,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell,  be  a 
cftmrnittee  to  examine  the  credentials  of  the  members. 

Mr.  Swift  informed  the  house,  that  the  use  of  two  apartments 
in  the  City  Hall  was  granted,  agreeably  to  application. 

Resolved,  With  the  concurrence  of  the  house  of  Bishops,  that 
the  hours  of  sitting  be  from  ten  to  three  o'clock. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  in  the  City  Hall  to-morrow  at  ten  o'clockj 
A.  M. 

T 


'  138 

City  Hall,  Thursday ^  ten  o\lock,  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend  read  prayers. 

The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  credentials  of  the 
members,  reported,  that  the  deputies  from  the  states  of  New- 
York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virgi- 
nia, and  South  Carolina,  had  produced  satisfactory  testimonials 
of  their  appointment. 

Resolved^  That  this  house  will  to-morrow  go  into  a  committee 
of  the  whole  on  the  state  of  the  church. 

Mr.  Andrews  presented  a  proposed  canon,  to  alter  canon  six  of 
the  year  1789,  and  canon  four  of  the  year  1792,  respecting  the 
testimonials  necessary  to  be  produced  by  candidates  for  holy  orders. 

Resolved^  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  committee  of  the 
whole  on  the  state  of  the  church. 

A  letter  was  received  from  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  of  the 
house  of  Bishops,  enclosing  sundry  testimonials,  respecting  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Peters,  as  Bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  the 
state  of  Vermont,  which  were  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Andrews  presented  a  proposed  canon  to  alter  canon  six,  of 
the  year  1792,  respecting  the  officiating  of  ministers  in  the  pa- 
rish, or  within  the  parochial  cure  of  another  clergyman,  which 
was  read  and  referred  to  the  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  state 
of  the  chxirch. 

The  House  of  Bishops  transmitted  to  this  house  by  their  Se- 
cretary, a  letter  addressed  to  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity,  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
in  Convention — Philadelphia — accompanied  with  the  following 
message  :  "  The  House  of  Bishops  have  read  the  letter  from  Per- 
son Parish,  in  North  Carolina,  directed  to  the  General  Convention, 
but  not  finding  it  of  such  a  nature  as  that  they  can  act  upon  it, 
they  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  such 
answer  be  returned,  signed  by  the  Presidents  of  both  houses,  as 
to  the  Presidents  may  appear  most  proper." 

The  letter  was  read,  and  it  was 

Resolved^  That  this  house  agree  to  the  proposal  contained  in 
the  above  message. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  ten  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  House  met,  and  adjourned  to  attend  divine  service  in 
Christ  Church,  which  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell, 
who  read  prayers,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Provoost  who  preach- 
ed the  occasional  sermon ;  immediately  after  which,  the  House 
returned  to  the  City  Hall. 

A  proposed  canon  to  prevent  a  congregation  in  any  diocese  or 
state,  from  uniting  with  a  church  in  any  other  diocese,  or  state, 
was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  after  being  read, 
was  referred  to  the  committee  of  the  whole,  on  the  state  of  the 
church. 


139 

Dr.  Andrews  presented  a  proposed  canon  to  alter  the  seventh 
canon  of  the  year  1789,  and  the  7th  canon  of  the  year  1792,  con- 
cerning the  learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  which  was 
referred  to  the  same  conimittee. 

Resolved  unanimously ^  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  given 
to  the  Right  Rev,  Dr.  Provoost,  for  his  sermon  delivered  before 
the  Convention  this  morning  in  Christ  Church,  and  that  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Blackwell,  and  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  Esquire,  be  appointed 
to  present  the  thanks  of  this  house,  and  to  request  a  copy  of  the 
sermon  for  publication. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell  presented  testimonials  from  the  Con- 
vention of  the  state  of  South  Carolina,  relative  to  the  election  of 
the  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  D.  D.  to  the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  that  state,  which  were  read  and  or- 
dered to  lie  upon  the  table. 

Resolved^  That  the  order  of  the  day  be  postponed  till  to-morroW. 

The  attention  of  the  House  was  called  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  An- 
drews, to  the  consideration  of  a  pamphlet  lately  published,  enti- 
tled, *'  Strictures  on  the  love  of  power  in  the  prelacy,  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Association  in  the  state  of  South 
Carolina,"  which  he  detlared  to  be  a  virulent  attack  upon  the  doc- 
trines and  discipline  of  our  church,  and  a  libel  against  the  House 
of  Bishops,  and  which  was  alleged  to  be  written  by  a  member  of 
this  House. 

Resolved^  That  it  be  the  order  of  the  day  for  Monday  next,  that 
the  House,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  enter  upon  the  investiga- 
tion of  this  charge.  • 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  teii  d*clock^  A.  M. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abercrombie  read  prayers. 

The  members  present  signed  the  testimonial,  in  such  cases 
prescribed  by  the  canon,  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Smith, 
D.  D.  who  had  been  elected  to  the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  South  Carolina;  and  trans- 
mitted it  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell,  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  to 
take  into  consideration  the  general  state  of  the  church,  and  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell  was  appointed  chairman. 

After  some  time  the  committee  rose,  and  the  chairman  report- 
ed, that  they  had,  according  to  order,  taken  under  consideration 
the  proposed  canon  to  them  referred,  entitled  a  canon  concerning 
the  testimonials  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  to  which  they 
had  made  several  amendments ;  also  a  canon,  to  regulate  the  of- 
ficiating of  ministers  in  the  parishes  or  parochial  cures  of  other 
clergymen,  to  which  an  amendment  had  been  made. 

Resolved,  That  the  report  be  taken  up  on  Monday  next. 

The  chairman  further  reported,  that  the  committee  not  having 
ha4  time  to  go  through  the  whole  business  referred  to  them,  had 


140 

directed  him  to  ask  for  leave  to  sit  again,  which  was  granted. 

The  House  of  Bishops  presented,  by  their  Secretary,  the  two 
following  messages,  which  were  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
table. 

"  Whereas  the  present  Convention,  from  particular  unavoidable 
circumstances,*  is  deprived  of  many  of  its  members,  who  were 
anxious  to  be  present, 

"  Resolved^^  That  this  house  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies  to  defer  the  discussion  of  articles  until  the 
meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention,  when  a  more  full  repre- 
sentation of  this  church  may  be  expected." 

"'J'he  House  of  Bishops  took  into  consideration  a  resolution  of 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  as  in  preceding  Conven- 
tion, which  resolution  was  in  these  words.  Resolved,  That  it  be 
made  known  to  the  several  state  Conventions,  that  it  is  proposed 
to  consider  and  determine,  in  the  next  General  Convention,  on  the 
propriety  of  investing  the  House  of  Bishops  with  a  full  negative 
upon  the  proceedings  of  the  other  house : 

''  Whereupon,  i-esolved,  that  the  following  message  be  sent  to 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  viz. 

"The  House  of  Bishops  have  not  in  any  former  Convention, 
expressed  their  sense  upon  the  aforesaid  subject;  but  they  now 
propose  to  the  House  ©f  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the  le- 
gislative power  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  shall  remain  as  fixed  by 
the  third  article  of  the  constitution  of  this  church." 

The  House  of  Bishops  also  inforjned  this  house,  that  they  had 
examined  and  approved  the  testimonials  in  favor  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Robert  Smith,  Bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  South  Carolina,  and 
that  they  had  appointed  to-morrow  morning  as  the  time  for  his 
consecration,  at  Christ  church. 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  on  Monday  morning. 

Monday,  10  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarkson  read  prayers. 

Dr.  Andrews  presented  a  proposed  canon  to  alter  canon  3d,  of 
the  year  1789,  respecting  Episcopal  visitation,  which  was  read,  and 
ordered  to  be  referred  to  the  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  state 
of  the  church. 

Mr.  Bisset  presented  a  proposed  canon  to  alter  the  4th  canon  of 
the  year  1789,  which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be  referred  to  the 
same  committee. 

The  house  took  up  the  proposed  canon  concerning  the  testimo- 
nials of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  which  was  read  and  passed. 
^  The  proposed  canon,  to  regulate  the  officiating  of  Ministers  in 
the  parish  or  parochial  cure  of  another  Clergyinan,  was  taken  up, 
and  the  question  on  the  proposed  amendment  was  taken  by  states, 

*  The  intercourse  between  Kew  York  and  Philadelphia  had  been  suspended  by 
pviblie  authority,  sometime  before  the  meeting"  of  the  Convention. 


141 

and  lost ;  whereupon  an  addition  to  the  canon  was  moved  by  Mr, 
Bisset,  read,  and  ordered  to  be  postponed. 

A  proposed  canon,  for  the  better  accomplishing  of  the  objects  of 
the  6th  canon,  of  the  year  1792,  respecting  the  preaching  of  Cler- 
gymen in  different  parishes,  was  received  from  the  House  of 
Bishops,  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  house  then  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole, 
on  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell  in  the  chair;  and 
after  some  time  the  committee  rose,  and  the  chairman  reported  the 
following  resolution. 

Resolved,  That  the  pamphlet  entided  "  Strictures  on  the  love 
of  power  in  the  prelacy,  by  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Association  in  the  state  of  South  Carolina,"  contains  very  offensive 
and  censurable  matter. 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  house. 

The  committee  then  asked  leave  to  sit  again,  which  was  granted. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Spierin  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  10  d*clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Madison  read  prayers. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  the  testimonials  to  be  produced 
on  the  part  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  was  sent  to  the 
House  of  Bishops,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset. 

Dr.  Magaw  presented  a  proposed  canon  on  the  preparatory 
exercises  of  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  which  was  read,  amend- 
ed, and  sent  to  the  House  o*  Bishops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  canon  on  the  testimonials 
to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  with 
an  amendment  J  which  was  agreed  to,  and  returned  by  Mr.  Wal- 
lace, with  an  additional  amendment,  which  was  concurred  in  by 
the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  the  officiating  of  Clergymen, 
within  the  parish  or  parochial  cure  of  another  Clergyman,  was 
passed,  and  transmitted  by  the  liev-  Mr.  Bisset  to  the  House  of 
Bishops. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Croes  presented  a  proposed  canon,  empowering 
the  Bishop  in  each  diocese,  to  compose  a  form  of  prayer  or  thanks- 
giving for  extraordinary  occasions,  which  was  read  and  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  canon,  proposed  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  the  better 
accomplishing  of  the  objects  of  the  6th  canon  of  the  year  1792, 
was  returned  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  an  amendment, 
which  was  agreed  to. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  the  preparatory  exercises  of 
candidates,for  holy  ordfers,  was  agreed  to,  and  sent  to  the  House 
of  Bishops,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset. 

The  house  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  on 
the  state  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell  in  the  chair. 


142 

The  committee  rose  and  the  chairman  reported, 

A  canon  of  Episcopal  visitation ;  a  canon  of  the  learning  of 
candidates  for  holy  orders  ;  and  a  canon  of  the  age  of  those  who 
are  to  be  ordained,  or  consecrated. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Keene,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kemp,  and  Mr.  Kerr, 
obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  9  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell  read  prayers. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  Episcopal  visitation  was  read, 
passed  and  sent  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarkson,  to  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops. 

The  proposed  canon,  respecting  the  learning  of  candidates  for 
holy  orders,  was  read,  passed,  and  sent  by  the  Rev.  Mr;  Bisset 
to  the  House  of  Bishops  ;  also  the  proposed  canon  respecting  the 
age  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  presented  additional  documents  respecting 
the  formation  of  a  congregation  in  Person  parish,  in  the  state  of 
North  Carolina ;  which,  after  being  read,  were  referred  to  the 
Presidents  of  both  houses. 

The  house  then  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole, 
with  a  view  to  determine  who  was  the  author  of  the  pamplet  en- 
titled "■*•  Strictures  on  the  love  of  power  in  the  Prelacy,  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Association  in  the  state  of  South 
Carolina." 

AVhile  they  were  engaged  in  this  business,  a  message  came 
from  the  House  of  Bishops  which  the  committee  rose  to  receive, 
and  which  is  in  the  following  words : 

"  The  House  of  Bishops  propose  a  conference  with  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  upon  a  matter  which  they  are 
anxious  to  lay  before  the  house." 

The  house  agreed  to  the  conference,  which  was  immediately 
gone  into,  the  President  of  the  House  of  Bishops  in  the  chair. 

After  some  time  the  conference  ended,  and  the  President  took 
the  chair. 

A  paper  was  laid  before  the  House,  concerning  the  pamphlet 
entitled,  "  Strictures  on  the  love  of  power  in  the  Prelacy,"  which 
it  was  resolved  should  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  the  whole  tOr 
morrow. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  canon  respecting  the  learn- 
ing of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  with  an  amendment,  which 
being  read,  was  negatived. 

An  amendment  was  also  proposed  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  to 
the  canon  respecting  Episcopal  Visitation,  which  was  read,  and 
concurred  in. 

The  Bishops  returned  the  canon  respecting  the  age  of  those 
who  are  to  be  ordained  or  consecrated,  with  their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  Bishops  requested  a  conference,  on  the  canon  of 
the  learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 


143 

Ordered^  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend  inform  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, that  this  House  agrees  to  the  conference  on  the  proposed 
canon,  respecting  the  learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 

The  conference  accordingly  took  place. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  the  empowering  of  the  Bishop 
of  each  state,  to  compose  a  form  of  prayer  or  thanksgiving  for 
extraordinary  occasions,  was  read,  agreed  to,  and  sent  to  the 
House  of  Bishops  by  the  Secretary. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  said  canon  with  their  con- 
currence. 

Resolved  unanimously^  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  for  his  sermon  delivered  at  the 
consecration  of  the  Right  Reverend  Dr.  Robert  Smith  ;  and  that 
he  be  desired  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same  to  be  printed. 

The  canon  respecting  the  preparatory  exercises  of  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry,  was  returned  by  the  House  of  Bishops  with 
amendments,  which  were  adopted. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  nijie o"* clocks  A.M. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Croes  read  prayers. 

Dr.  Andrews  proposed  an  amendment  of  an  amendment  propo- 
sed by  the  House  of  Bishops  on  the  proposed  canon  respecting 
the  learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained,  and  the  question  be- 
ing taken  by  states,  was  agreed  to,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  said  canon  with  their  con- 
currence. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw, 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  four 
members,  who  (in  concurrence  with  a  committee  of  the  House 
of  Bishops,  if  they  shall  appoint  such  committee,  and  indepen- 
dently of  what  relates  to  the  printing  of  the  minutes)  shall  ar- 
range the  canons,  and  principal  papers  belonging  to  the  Conven- 
tion, causing  them  to  be  fairly  transcribed  in  a  proper  bound 
book,  in  order  that  they  may  be  faithfully  preserved  for  the  per- 
petual use  of  the  Houses  of  the  General  Convention  of  this 
church,  to  recur  to,  as  occasion  may  require  ;  and  the  said  com- 
mittee may,  if  they  think  proper,  employ  a  clerk,  or  transcriber, 
to  be  paid  out  of  such  monies  as  may  be  provided,  for  defraying 
the  necessary  incidental  expenses  of  Convention.     "Whereupon, 

Resolved^  That  the  President  of  this  House,  the  Rev.  Dr.  An- 
drews, the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  be 
the  members  of  the  above  committee,  and  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bis- 
set,  the  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  in 
the  last  General  Convention,  be  requested  to  collect  and  deliver 
to  the  said  committee,  all  the  documents  belonging  to  the  Con- 
vention, which  may  be  in  his  hands,  and  to  assist  the  committee 
in  the  execution  of  their  duties  as  far  as  may  be  in  his  power. 


144 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  mform- 
ing.  this  House  that  they  had  concurred  in  the  above  resolve,  and 
appointed  Bishop  White  on  their  part. 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  on 
the  paper  referred  to  them  yesterday,  and  on  other  business  re- 
ferred to  them. 

The  committee  rose,  and  their  chairman  reported,  that  they 
had  considered  the  paper  referred  to  them  yesterday,  which  was 
trom  the  author  of  the  pamphlet  entitled,  "  Strictures  on  the  Love 
of  Power  in  the  Prelacy,"  in  which  he  professes  his  sorrow  for 
the  publication,  and  that  they  were  of  opinion  the  House  sheuld 
accept  it  as  a  satisfactory  concession. 

Resolved^  That  the  House  adopt  the  above  report. 

The  committee  also  reported  certain  canons  and  resolutions, 
without  amendment. 

Ordered^  That  the  paper  referred  to  in  the  report,  be  carried 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bisset  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops: 

"•  The  Bishops  request  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, to  appoint  a  committee,  to  confer  with  a  committee  of  their 
House  on  a  subject  which  has  been  already  before  them." 

A  committee  of  five  was  accordingly  appointed,  vizi  the  Rev, 
Dr.  Andrews,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell,  Co- 
lonel Gurney  and  Mr.  Johnson  ',  who  at  the  request  of  the  House 
of  Bishops,  repaired  to  their  chamber,  and  on  their  return  made 
a  report,  referring  to  some  alterations  which  may  be  proper  in  the- 
minutes,  in  consequence  of  the  concession  made  by  the  author 
of  the  pamphlet,  entitled,  "■  Strictures  on  the  Love  of  Power  in 
the  Prelacy,"   which  was  agreed  to. 

Adjourned  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  nine  o'' clocks  A.  M. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell  read  prayers. 

The  canon  entitled  a  canon,  to  prevent  a  congregation  in  anv 
diocese  or  state,  to  unite  with  the  church  in  anv  other  diocese  or 
state,  which  was  proposed  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  was  read, 
amended,  and  being  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  was  returned 
with  their  concurrence. 

Resolved^  That  the  testimonials  from  the  state  of  Termont, 
respecting  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sa.nuel  Peters,  sent 
by  the  House  of  Bishops,  be  returned  to  them,  with  a  request, 
that  they  will  ansvv'er  it  in  wl\atever  manner  they  shall  think  best. 

The  message  from  the  House  of  Bishops  respecting  the  articles 
of  religion,  was  read  and  concurred  in. 

The  following  resolve  was  sent  by  the  Rev-  Dr.  Andrews  to 
the  House  of  Bishops,  and  returned  with  their  concurrence  : 

Resolved^  That  it  be  earnesdy  recommended  to  the  churches  in 
the  several  states,  not  to  fail  to  send  deputies  to  the  next  General 
Convention,  as  it  appears  inexpedient,  that  the  consideration  of 


145 

the  articles  of  religion  should  be  postponed  beyond  the  period  of 
that  meeting. 

The  Secretary  of  the  committee  for  carrying  into  effect  the  act 
for  supporting  Missionaries  to  preach  the  gospel  on  the  Frontiers 
of  the  United  States,  reported  to  this  House,  the  progress  made 
by  said  committee  in  the  execution  of  the  business  entrusted  to 
them— whereupon. 

Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  different  State  Con- 
ventions, to  continue  either  by  an  annual  sermon,  or  by  soliciting 
private  contributions,  to  provide  for  the  establishment  of  Mis- 
sionaries to  preach  the  gospel  on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States; 
and  that  instead  of  committing  the  general  management  of  the 
fund,  as  by  the  act  of  the  last  General  Convention,  to  a  standing 
committee  of  any  state,  the  Convention  of  each  state  shall  ap- 
point such  committee  to  have  the  management  of  the  money  con- 
tributed in  that  state,  and  the  application  of  the  same  to  the  sup- 
port of  a  Missionary  or  Missionaries  in  such  part  of  the  United 
States  as  they  may  think  proper  ;  and  the  money  heretofore  col- 
lected in  any  state,  and  remitted  to  the  treasurer  of  the  former 
standing  committee,  shall  be  returned  to  such  state  committees, 
when  they  are  appointed,  and  shall  call  for  the  same. 

The  act  passed  on  this  subject  in  the  year  1792,  is  hereby  re- 
scinded. 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  of  both  Houses  be  appointed  to 
digest,  and  report  to  the  next  General  Convention  a  course  of 
study  for  candidates  for  holy  orders,  and  that  the  following  gen- 
tlemen be  appointed  by  this  House  : — The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Andrews,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Magaw,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend. 

Resolved^  With  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  that 
it  be  made  known  to  the  several  State  Conventions,  that  it  is  pro- 
posed to  consider  and  determine  in  the  next  General  Convention, 
on  the  following  addition  to  the  second  article  of  the  constitution, 
in  the  9th  line,  after  the  word  "  Convention,"  viz  : 

*'  But  if  the  church  shall  not  be  represented  in  both  orders  in 
a  majority  of  the  states,  then  the  vote  shall  be  given  by  states 
without  regard  to  orders." 

Resolved  unanimously  J  With  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  that  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  given  to  Matthew 
Clarkson,  Esquire,  Mayor  of  the  city,  for  the  use  of  the  City 
Hall,  and  that  Colonel  Gurney  and  Joseph  Swift,  Esquire,  be  a 
committee  to  communicate  the  same. 

Resolved^  With  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  that 
eight  hundred  copies  of  the  Journals  be  printed. 

The  House  proceeded  to  appoint  a  standing  committee,*"  and 
the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen  : 

*  For  the  powers  and  duties  ofthe  standing- committee,  seepage  11  of  the  Joiir- 
iiaJ  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  in  Convention,  Sept.  1789. 

u 


146 

For  New  Hampshire^  The  Hon.  Mr.  Livermore. 
'  For  Massachusetts^  The  Rev.  Dr.  Parker. 

For  Rhode  Island,  The  Rev.  William  Smith. 

For  Connecticut,  The  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin. 

For  New  Tork,  The  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beacli, 
Robert  Watts,  Esq.  "\ 

For  New  Jersey^  The  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Croes, ' 
Joshua  M.   Wallace,  Esq. 

For  Pennsylvania,  The  Rev.  Dr.  MagaW,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Black- 
well,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews,  Cojonel  Gurney,  Joseph  Swift,  Esq. 
Mr.  J.  B.  Gilpin. 

For  Delaware^  The  Rev.  Mr.  Clarkson,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clay, 
Nicholas  Ridgley,  Esq. 

For  Maryland^  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  Samuel  Johnson,  Esq. 
General  Lloyd. 

For  Virginia,,  The  Rev.  Dr.  M'Croskey,  Robert  Andrews, 
Esq. 

For  South  Carolina^  The  Rev.  Mr.  Frost,  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell, 
the  Hon.  William  Smith. 

Ordered,  That  the  President  of  this  house  is  chairman  of  the 
above  committee,  and  is  empowered  to  call  together  the  members. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given  to  the  Presi- 
dent for  his  able  and  impartial  management  in  his  place,  and  to 
the  Secretary,  for  his  correct  attention  and  services. 

Resolved,  That  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Convention  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

The  house  rose. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 

James  Abercrombie,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

Philadelphia,  September  8,  1795. 

THIS  being  the  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  Protestant' Episcopal  church,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
W^hite  attended,  in  Christ  church. 

In  the  Vestry  Room  of  Christ  Church, 
Wednesday,  Sept.  9. 

The  house  met — present. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
who,  by  the  rules  of  the  house  made  at  the  last  meeting,  presided. 
The   Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  of  the  state  of  New  York. 
The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Madison,  of  the  state  of  Virginia. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Turner  was  chosen  Secretary. 
The  bouse  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 


147 

Lay  Deputies,  informlnc;  them,  that  their  house  was  formed,  and 
readv  to  proceed  to  business. 

This  house  received  another  message  informing  them,  that  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  propose  to  this  house,  the 
adjourning  to  the  City  Hall.  ;. 

I'he  proposal  for  removing  is  agreed  to. 

This  house  sent  a  message  to  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  them,  that  Bishop  Provoost  is  ready  to  preach 
before  the  Convention,  agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  last 
Convention,  and  proposing  Friday  next,  ^s  the  time  for  the  de- 
livery of  the  sermon. 

Information  was  received  that  the''House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  concurred. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  proposing,  ♦hat  the  hours  of  sitting  of  the  Convention, 
shall  be  from  10  in  the  morning  to  3  in  the  afternoon,  with  which 
this  house  concurred. 

Resolved,  That  during  the  session  of  the  Convention,  the 
house  will  attend  divine  service,  in  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

Adjourned  to  pieet  to-morrow  morning  in  the  City  Hall. 

City  Hall,  Thursday^  September  10. 

The  house  met,  present. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  President, 
Right  Kev.  Bishop  Provoost, 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Madison, 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett. 
The  Rev.    Mr.  Bisset  presented  to  this  house,  from  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  an  application  from  the  vestry  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  Person   county.  North  Caro- 
lina. 

This  house  resolved.  That  it  be  proposed  to  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  that  as  the  said  letter  cannot  be  acted  on 
by  the  Convention,  the  Presidents  of  the  two  houses  be  desired  to 
send  such  an  answer  to  the  same,  as  in  their  judgments  shall  te 
proper. 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-inorrow  mot-ning. 

Friday  Morning,  10  o'clock. 

The  house  met,  present  as  yesterday.  ,  i 

This  house  proceeded  with  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  to  Christ  church,  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell  read 
prayers  ;  after  which  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost  delivered 
a  sermon  suited  to  the  occasion  of  the  present  meeting,  as  ap- 
pointed at  the  last  Convention. 

After  divine  service  this  house  returned  to  .the  City  Hall,  and 
entered  upon  business.  ;»7  :I'i'^.'-'  «.'tti  .V         ^ 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given  to  the  Right 


148 

Rev.  Bishop  Provoost  for  his  sermon  delivered  this  morning,and 
that  he  be  desired  to  furnish  a  copy  of  it  for  the  press. 

This  house  originated  a  canon  and  sent  it  to  the  house  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  restricting  any  individual  congregation 
from  associating  with  the  church  of  any  other  diocese  or  state, 
than  that  in  which  they  are  situated. 

The  house  then  adjoured. 

Saturday  Morning,  10  d^clocL 

The  house  met,  present  as  yesterday* 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, the  testimonials  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  D.  D.  Bishop 
elect  of  this  church  in  the  state  of  South  Carolina. 

A  message  was  sent  from  this  house  to  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  informing  them,  that  they  had  examined  and 
approved  the  testimonials  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  of  South  Caro- 
lina, and  that  the  consecration  will  take  place  to-morrow  morn- 
ing in  Christ  Church. 

The  following  message  was  sent  from  this  house  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  :  Whereas  the  present  Convention, 
from  particular  unavoidable  circumstances,  is  deprived  of  many  of 
its  members ; 

Resolved,  That  this  house  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  to  defer  the  discussion  of  the  articles,  until  the 
meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention,  when  a  more  full  re- 
presentation of  this  church  may  be  expected. 

The  following  message  was  also  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  viz. 

This  house  took  into  consideration  a  resolution  of  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  a  preceding  Convention  which  re- 
solution is  in  these  words. 

Resolved,  There  be  made  known  to  the  several  state  Conven- 
tions, that  it  is  proposed  to  consider  and  determine  in  the  next 
General  Convention,  on  the  propriety  of  investing  the  House  of 
Bishops  with  a  full  negative  upon  the  proceedings  of  the  other 
house. 

Thereupon  resolved,  That  the  following  message  be  sent  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  viz.  The  House  of  Bishops 
have  not  expressed  their  sense  in  any  former  Convention,  upon 
the  subject  aforesaid:  But  they  now  propose  to  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the  legislative  power  of  the 
House  of  Bishops  shall  remain  as  fixed  by  the  third  article  of  the 
constitution  ot  this  church. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  Monday  10  o'clock. 

Monday  Morning,  Sept.  14. 

The  house  met,  present  as  on  Saturday. 

The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  who  had  been  yesterday  consecrated 


149 

Bishop  of  this  church  in  South  Carolina,  took  his  seat  in  thia 
house. 

A  proposed  canon  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay- 
Deputies,  intended  to  accomplish  more  fully  the  object  of  the 
sixth  canon  passed  in  Convention  in  1 792. 

The  Right  Rev.  bishop  Claggett  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

The  house  then  adjourned.  , 

Tuesday  Morning. 

The  house  met,  present  as  yesterday,  except  Bishop  Claggett. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  proposed  canon  respecting  the  testimonials  of  those  who 
are  to  be  ordained. 

This  house  returned  the  above  proposed  canon  to  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  an  amendment. 

The  same  canon  was  again  presented  to  this  house  with  an 
amendment  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with 
which  this  house  concurred. 

This  house  received  a  proposed  canon  from  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  on  the  preparatory  exercises  of  the  can- 
didates for  the  ministry. 

This  house  returned  the  same  with  amendments. 

The  proposed  canon  that  originated  in  this  house,  for  the  more 
full  accomplishing  of  the  object  of  the  sixth  canon  of  1792,  which 
had  been  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  was 
returned  to  this  house  with  an  amendment. 

The  proposed  canon  respecting  preparatory  exercises  of  can- 
didates for  the  ministry,  was  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies  with  an  amendment. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday  Morning,  9  o\lock. 

The  house  met,  present  as  yesterday. 

A  message  was  sent  from  this  house  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  desiring  a  conference  with  their  house,  upon  a 
matter  which  they  are  desirous  to  lay  before  them. 

The  conference  was  agreed  to,  and  the  House  of  Bishops  met 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  the  chamber  of  the 
latter  :  when  the  President,  by  desire,  took  the  chair. 

The  conference  being  ended,  this  house  returned  to  their  cham- 
ber. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, their  concurrence  with  the  amendment  to  the  proposed 
canon,  respecting  exercises  to  be  required  of  persons  who  are  to 
be  ordained. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  canon  now  pass  and  be  returned  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 


150 

puties,  a  proposed  canon  concerning  the  learning  of  those  who  are 
to  be  ordained. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  proposed  canon  to  alter  the  3d  canon  of  1789,  on  episco- 
pal visitations. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  proposed  canon  to  alter  the  canon  concerning  the  age  of 
persons  jo  be  ordained. 

This  House  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties their  proposed  canon  concerning  the  learning  of  persons  to 
be  ordained  with  an  amendment,  and  also  the  proposed  canon  to 
alter  the  3d  canon  of  1789,  Avith  an  amendment. 

This  House  passed  the  proposed  canon  to  alter  the  canon  re- 
specting the  age  of  persons  to  be  ordained. 

This  House  passed  the  canon  to  alter  the  6th  canon  of  1792,  of 
officiating  in  the  parishes  or  parochial  cures  of  other  ministers. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  signified  their  non- 
concurrence  with  the  amendment  of  the  proposed  canon,  concern- 
ing the  learning  of  persons  to  be  ordained. 

Resolved^  That  a-  conference  be  requested  on  the  said  proposed 
canon,  at  such  hour  as  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
may  appoint. 

This  House  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  informing  that  they  agreed  to  the  conference. 

The  two  Houses  then  went  into  conference,  and  after  some 
time  spent  therein,  this  House  returned  to  their  chamber. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties a  proposed  canon,  authorising  the  Bishop  of  any  diocese  to 
appoint  forms  of  prayer  or  thanksgiving  for  extraordinary  occa- 
sions ;  which  was  passed  and  returned. 

Resolved  wiammoiisli/.  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  pre- 
sented to'the  Kev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  for  his  sermon  delivered 
in  Christ  Church,  at  the  consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Ro- 
bert Smith ;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the 
iame  to  be  printed. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Madison  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

This  House  then  adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

The  House  met :  present,  as  yesterday,  except  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Madison. 

This  House  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, the  proposed  canon  of  the  learning  of  persons  to  be  ordained, 
with  an  amendment.  • 

The  above  proposed  canon  was  retui'ned  to  the  House  with  an 
amendment,  with  which  thts  House  concurred. 

^his  House  received  a  resolution  fi-om  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  for  the  appointing  of  a  committee,  for  the  ar- 


151 

rangement  of  the  canons  and  other  papers  belonging  to  this  Con- 
vention, desiring  the  concurrence  of  this  House. 

This  House  concurred  in  the  same. 

This  House  requested  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  • 
to  appoint  a  committee  of  their  House  to  meet  a  committee  of  the 
House  of  Bishops. 

The  committee  of  this  House  is,  Bishop  White  and  Bisliop 
Provoost. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  agreed  to  the  request 
of  this  House,  and  the  joint  committee  met  in  the  Bishops' 
chamber. 

This  being  done,  this  House  returned  to  their  chamber. 

A  message  came  to  this  House  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  that  they  had  agreed  to  the  report  of  the  joint  com- 
mittee Avith  a  small  amendment,  Avhich  was  agreed  to. 

Bishop  Provoost  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

The  House  then  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 

The  House  met :  present,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  and 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Smith. 

There  was  returned  to  this  House  the  proposed  canon  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  to  prevent  any  church  from 
uniting  themselves  to  any  other  diocese,  than  to  that  in  the  state 
in  which  they  belong,  with  an  amendment  to  the  said  canon  ; 
which  amendment  was  agreed  to,  and  the  canon  passed. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties,  papers  respecting  the  election  of  Dr.  Peters  to  be  Bishop 
in  the  state  of  Vermont. 

The  President  of  this  House  is  desired  to  give  such  an  answer 
as  the  nature  of  the  case  requires,  and  particularly  to  mention  in 
the  said  answer,  that  the  Bishops  cannot  with  propriety  conse- 
crate a  Bishop  for  the  church  in  any  state,  until  such  church  shall 
have  acceded  to  the  general  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the 
church  in  the  United  States. 

This  House  received  a  resolution  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  proposing  that  the  moneys  collected  for  the 
purpose  of  sending  Missionaries  to  the  frontiers,  be  returned  to 
the  churches  in  the  states  in  which  they  were  respectively  col- 
lected; and  proposing,  that  the  object  of  the  institution  be  pur- 
sued by  the  churches  in  the  individual  states,  with  which  this 
House  agreed.  * 

This  House  received  a  proposed  constitutional  alteration  of  the 
manner  of  voting  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  ;  in 
which  this  House  concurred. 

This  House  received  a  resolution  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  to  appoint  a  committee  that  may  digest  and 
report  to  the  next  Convention,  a  course  of  studies  for  candidates 
for  holy  orders,  in  which  this  House  concurred,  and  the  Right 


152 

Hev*  Bishop  "White,  Bishop  Provoost  and  Bishop  Madison,  are 
the  committee  from  this  House  for  the  above  purpose. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concurred  with  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies  in  thanks  to  the  Mayor  of  the  city  for  the  use 
of  the  hall. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  inform  this  House, 
that  800  copies  of  the  Journals  of  this  Convention,  are  proposed 
to  be  printed,  which  was  agreed  to. 

IHie  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  sent  a  message  to  this 
House,  expressing  their  intention  ot  rising ;  and  that  they  had 
appointed  Philadelphia  for  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  next  Gre- 
neral  Convention. 

The  thanks  of  the  House  of  Bishops   were  given  to  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Turner,  for  his  services  as  Secretary. 
Signed  bu  order  of  the  House^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 

Attest.     Joseph  Turner,  Secretary. 

The  Certificate  of  the  Consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
S}nzth^  is  as  folloivs  :  _ 

KNOW  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  William  White, 
D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania,  presiding  Bishop  ;  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  Bi- 
shop of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New 
York  ;  James  Madison,  D.  D,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  state  of  Virginia;  and  Thomas  John  Claggett, 
D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 
Maryland,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  in  Christ 
Church,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  Sunday,  the  thirteenth 
day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-five,  did  then  and  there  rightly  and  canoni- 
cally  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Robert  Smith,  D.  D. 
Provost  of  Charleston  College,  and  Rector  of  St.  Philip's  Church, 
Charleston,  in  the  state  of  South  Carolina,  of  whose  sufficiency 
in  good  learning,  soundness  in  the  faith  and  purity  of  manners 
we  were  fully  ascertained,  into  the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  the  said  state,  to  which  the  said  Ro- 
bert Smith  hath  been  elected  by  the  Convention  of  the  said  state. 
In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  signed  our  names,  and  caused 
our  seals  to  be  affixed.  Given  in  the  citv  of  Philadelphia,  this 
fourteenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  ninety-five. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  (l.s.) 

SA?1UEL  PROVOOST,  (l.s.) 

JAMES  MADISON,  (l.  s.) 

THOMAS  JOHN  CLAGGETT,    (l.  s.) 


153 

APPEISDIX. 

CANONS. 

Cawon  I. — Of  Episcopal  Visitation. 

EVERY  Bishop  in  this  church  shall  visit  the  churches  with- 
in his  diocese  or  district,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  state 
of  his  church,  inspecting  the  behaviour  of  the  clergy,  and  admi- 
nistering the  apostolic  rite  of  confirmation.  And  it  is  deemed 
proper,  that  such  visitations  be  made  once  in  three  years  at  least, 
by  everv  Bishop  to  every  church  within  his  diocese  or  district, 
which  shall  make  provision  for  defraying  the  necessary  expenses 
of  the  Bishop  at  such  visitation.  And  it  is  hereby  declared  to  be 
the  duty  of  the  minister  and  vestry  of  every  church  or  congrega- 
tion, to  make  such  provision  accordingly. 

The  Bishop  of  any  diocese  or  state  district,  may,  on  the  invita- 
tion of  the  Convention  or  standing  committee  of  the  church  in 
any  state  where  there  is  not  a  Bishop,  visit  and  perform  the  epis- 
copal offices  in  that  state,  or  part  of  the  state,  as  the  case  may  be, 
provision  being  made  for  defraying  his  expenses  as  aforesaid : 
and  such  state,  or  part  of  a  state,  shall  be  considered  as  annexed 
to  the  district  or  diocese  of  such  Bishop,  until  a  Bishop  is  duly 
elected  and  consecrated  for  such  state,  or  until  the  invitation 
given  by  the  Convention  or  standing  committee  be  revoked.  But 
it  is  to  be  understood,  that  to  enable  the  Bishop  to  make  the 
aforesaid  visitations,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clergy,  in  such 
reasonable  rotation  as  may  be  devised,  to  officiate  for  hira  in  any 
parochial  duties  which  belong  to  him.  And  no'  state  shall  pro- 
ceed to  the  election  or  appointment  of  a  Bishop,  unless  there  be 
at  least  six  Presbyters  residing  and  officiating  therein,  a  majority 
of  whom,  at  least,  shall  concur  jp  such  election.  But  the  Con- 
ventions of  two  or  more  states,  having  together  nine  or  more  set- 
tled and  officiating  Presbyters,  may  associate,  and  join  in  the 
election  of  a  Bishop. 

The  third  canon  of  the  year  1789  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  II. — Of  the    testimonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of 

those  -who  are  to  he  ordained. 

Every  candidate  for  holy  orders,  shall  be  recommended  to  the 
Bishop  by  a  standing  committee  appointed  by  the  Convention  of 
the  church  in  that  state  wherein  he  resides,  which  recommenda- 
tion shall  be  signed  by  the  names  of  a  majority  of  the  committee, 
and  shall  be  in  the  following  words  : 

"  We  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  testify,  that  A.  B. 
"  hath  laid  before  us  satisfactory  testimonials,  that  for  the  space 
"  of  three  years  last  past,  he  hath  lived  piously,  soberly,  and  ho- 
"  nestly ;  and  hath  not  written,  taught,  ur   held  any   thing  con- 

X 


154 

"  trary  to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
"  Church  :  And  moreover,  we  think  hun  a  person  worthy  to  be 
**  adnr)itted  to  the  sacred  order  of    "  '  In  witness  M'hereof, 

"  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  this day  of ,  in  the 

"  year  of  our  Lord ." 

But  before  a  standing  committee  in  any  state  shall  proceed  t» 
recommend  any  candidate,  as  aforesaid  to  the  Bishop,  such  can- 
didate shall  produce  from  the  minister  and  vestry  of  the  parish 
where  he  resides,  or  from  the  vestry  alone  if  the  parish  be  vacant, 
or  if  there  be  no  vestry,  from  at  Itast  twelve  respectable  persons 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  neighbourhood  in 
which  he  resides,  testimonials  of  his  good  morals  and  orderly 
conduct  for  three  years  last  past,  and  that  he  has  not,  so  far  as 
they  know  and  believe,  written,  taught,  or  held  any  thing  con- 
trary to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church ;  a  publication  of  his  intention  to  apply  for  holy  orders 
having  been  previously  made  by  such  minister  or  vestr}%  He 
shall  also  lay  before  the  standing  committee,  testimonials  to  the 
same  efft  ct,  signed  by  at  least  one  respectable  clergyman  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  from  his  per- 
sonal knowledge  of  the  candidate  for  at  least  one  year. 

In  every  state  in  which  there  is  no  standing  committee,  such 
committee  shall  be  appointed  at  its  next  ensuing  Convention;  and 
in  the  mean  time,  every  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  be  recom- 
mended according  to  the  regulations  or  usage  of  the  church  in 
each  state,  and  the  requisitions  of  the  Bishop  to  whom  he  applies. 

The  6th  canon  passed  in  October,  1789,  concerning  the  testi- 
monials to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those  who  are  to  be  or- 
dained, and  so  much  of  the  4th  canon  passed  in  1792,  as  relates 
to  the  subject  of  this  canon,  are  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  111. — Of  the  age  of  those  who   are  to   be  Ordabied  or 

Consecrated. 

Deacon's  orders  shall  not  be  conferred  on  any  person  until  he 
shall  be  twenty-one  years  old,  nor  Priest's  orders  on  any  one  un- 
til he  shall  be  twenty  four  years  old,  and  unless  he  shall  have 
been  a  Deacon  one  year.  No  man  shall  be  consecrated  a  Bishop 
of  this  church,  until  he  shall  be  thirty  years  old. 

The  4th  canon  of  the  year  1789,  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Cai^on  IV. — Of  the  Learning  of  those  zuho  are  to  be  Ordained, 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church,  until  he  shall  have 
satisfied  the  Bishop  and  the  two  Presbytei-s  by  whom  he  shall  be 
examined,  that  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  holy  scriptures,  can 
read  the  New  '^restament  in  the  original  Greek,  and  give  an  ac- 
count of  his  faith  in  the  Latin  tongue  ;  and  that  he  hath  a  compe- 
tent knowledge  of  natural  and  moral  philosophy  and  church  h\.S'- 
tory,  and  hath  paid  attention  to  composition  and  pulpit  elo^uence^ 


155 

as  means  of  giving  additional   efficacy  to  his  labours ;  unless  the 
Bishop  shall  judge  it  proper  to  dispense  with  the  above  requis'tes 
in  part,  in  consideration  of  certain  other  qualifications  in  the  can- 
didate peculiarly  fitting  him  for  the  gospel  ministry. 
The  7th  canon  of  the  year  1789,  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  V. — Of  the  officiating  of  Ministers  of  this  Churchy  in  the 
Churches  or  within  the  Parochial  Cures  of  other  Clergyynen. 

No  clergyman  belonging  to  this  church  shall  officiate,  e  ther  by 
preaching  or  reading  prayers  in  the  parish,  or  within  the  paro- 
chial cure  of  another  clergyman,  unless  he  have  received  express 
permission  for  that  purpose  from  the  minister  of  the  parish  or 
cure,  or  in  his  absence,  from  the  church  wardens  and  vestrymen, 
or  trustees  of  the  congregation.  But,  if  any  ministi  r  of  a  cliurch 
shall,  from  inability,  or  any  other  cause,  neglect  to  perform  the 
regular  services  to  his  congregation,  and  shall  refuse  his  consent 
to  any  other  minister  of  this  church  to  officiate  within  his  cure, 
the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  such  congregation 
shall,  on  proof  of  such  neglect  and  refusal  before  the  Bishop  ol  the 
diocese,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  before  the  standing  commit- 
tee, or  before  such  persons  as  may  be  deputed  by  him  or  them, 
or  before  such  persons  as  may  be,  by  the  regulations  of  this  church 
in  any  state,  vested  with  the  power  of  hearing  and  deciding  on 
complaints  against  clergymen,  have  power  to  open  the  doors  of 
their  churches  to  any  regular  minister  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church. 

The  6th  canon  of  1792,  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  VI. — Of  the  preparatory  exercises  of  a  Candidate  for  the 

Ministry. 

Every  candidate  for  the  ministry  shall  give  notice  of  his  inten- 
tion to  the  Bishop,  or  to  such  body  as  the  church  in  the  state  in 
which  the  candidate  resides,  may  l^e  appointed  to  superintend 
the  instruction  of  candidates  for  holy  orders,  at  least  one  year  be- 
fore his  ordination.  And  if  there  be  a  Bishop  within  the  state  or 
district  where  the  candidate  resides,  he  shall  apply  to  no  other 
Bishop  for  ordination,  without  the  permission  of  the  former. 
And  the  said  candidate  shall  pass  through  the  preparatory  exer- 
cises which  the  Bishop,  or  such  body  aforesaid,  may  appoint ; 
such  as  composing  of  theses,  homilies  or  sermons,  one  or  more, 
to  be  delivered,  either  publicly  or  privately,  in  his  or  their  pre- 
sence, at  such  time  or  times  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  autho- 
rity aforesaid- 

And  this  canon  shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  the  first  day  of 
January  next. 

Canon  VII. — For  the  better  accomplishing  of  the  objects  of  the 
sixth  Canon  of  17 92, 

Whereas  there  is  no  provision  made  in  the  6th  canon  of  1 792, 


156 

for  the  case  of  such  a  vicinity  of  two  or  tnore  churches,  as  that 
there  can  be  no  local  boundaries  drawn  between  their  respective 
cures,  it  is  hereby  ordained,  that  in  every  such  case,  no  minister 
of  this  church,  other  than  the  parochial  clergy  of  the  said  cures^ 
shall  preach  within  the  connmon  limits  of  the  same,  in  any  other 
place  than  in  one  of  the  churches  thereof,  without  the  consent  of 
the  major  number  of  the  parochial  clergy  of  the  said  churches. 

Canon  VIII. —  To  prevent  a  Cdngreg-ation  in  anij  Diocese  or 
State  to  unite  with  a  Church  in  any  other  Diocese  or  State. 

"Whereas  a  question  may  arise,  whether  a  congregation  within 
the  dioctse  of  any  Bishop,  or  within  any  state  in  which  there  is 
not  yet  any  Bishop  settled,  may  unite  themselves  with  the  church 
in  any  other  diocese  or  state ;  it  is  hereby  determined  and  declar- 
ed, that  all  such  unions  shall  be  considered  as  irregular  and  void; 
and  that  every  congregation  of  this  church  shall  be  considered  as 
belonging  to  the  body  of  the  church  of  the  diocese,  or  of  the  state^ 
within  the  limits  of  which  they  dwell  j  or  within  which  there  is 
seated  a  church  to  which  they  belong.  And  no  clergyman  having 
a  parish  or  cure  in  more  than  one  state,  shall  have  a  seat  in  the 
Convention  of  any  state,  other  than  that  in  which  he  resides. 

Canon  IX, —  To  empoxver  the  Bishop  in  each  diocese  or  district 
to  compose  forms  of  prayer  or  thanksgiving  for  extraordinary 
occasions. 

The  Bishop  of  each  diocese  or  district  may  compose  forms  of 
prayer  or  Thanksgiving,  as  the  case  may  require,  for  extraordi- 
nary occasions,  and  transmit  them  to  each  clergyman  within  his 
diocese  or  district,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  use  such  forms  in  his 
church,  on  such  occasions.  And  the  Clergy  in  those  states  in 
which  there  is  no  Bishop,  may  use  the  forms  of  prayer  or  thanks- 
givmg  compoijcd  by  the  Bishop  of  any  other  state. 

Done  in  Convention,  and  jdgned  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
WILLIAM  SMITH,  D.  D    President  of  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 


157 


List  of  the  Clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  delivered 
in^  and  published^  agreeably  to  the  16th  canon  of  the  General 
Convention  of  1789* 

From  New  Hampsliire  and  Massachusetts  no  lists  wei"e  delivered  in. 

The  lists  from  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  are  tlie  same  as  those  in  the  last 
Joui-nal,  no  new  lists  having-  been  delivered  in. 

f 


Rhode  Island. 

Rev.  Moses  Badger,  Rector  of  King's 
church.  Providence. 

Rev.  William  Smith,  Rector  of  Trini- 
ty church,  Newport. 

Cormectictit. 

Right  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibble,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Stamford. 

Rev.  George  Ogilvie,  St.  Paul's  church, 
Norwalk. 

Rev.  Philo  Shehon,  Stratfield. 
Rev.  Dr.  Bela  Hubbard,  Trinity  church, 
New  Haven. 

Rev.  Philo  Perry,  Christ  church,  New- 
town. 

Rev.  David  Perry,  Reading,  &c. 

Rev.  Marsh,  New  Milford. 

Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Litchfield. 

Rev.  Ambrose  Todd,  Sj-msbury. 

Rev.  Abraham  Lynsen  Clarke,  Hunt- 
ington. 

i<ev.  Dr.  Richard  Mansfield,  Derby. 

Rev.  Reuben  Ives,  Cheshire. 

Rev.     Dr.    Abraham    Jarvis,   Christ 
rhurch,  Middleton. 

Rev.  Daniel  Fcigg,  Brooklyn. 

Rev.  John  Tyler,  Christ  church,  Nor- 
wich. 

Rev. Prindle,  WeStbury. 

Rev.  John  Bowden,  residing  at  Strat- 
ford. 

Rev.     Edwai'd    Blackslee,    Deacon, 
Woodbridge. 

Rev.  .Solomon  Blackslee,  Deacon,  East 
Haddam, 

Rev.  Da\'id  Belden,  Deacon, , 

Rev.  Seth  Hart,  Deacon,  Waterbury. 

Rev.  David  Butler,    Deacon,    North 
Guilford. 

J^''eiv  York. 

Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Learning,  D.  D.  resid- 
ing in  New  York. 

—  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Assistant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New  York. 

—  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Assistant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 

—  Thomas  L.  Moore,  Rector  of  St. 
George's  church.  South  Hempstead. 

— Thomas  Ellison,  ResWr  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Albany. 


Rev.  John  Bisset,  Assistant  Minister  o 
Trinity  church,  in  the  city  of  New  York' 

—  Richard  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St- 
Andrew's  church,  Stat*  n  Island. 

—  George  H.  Spieren,  Rector  of 
Christ  church,  Poughkeepsie. 

—  Samutl  Nosbit,  Rector  of  SL  Anne's 
church,  Brooklyn. 

—  Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 
church,  Fhilipsburg. 

—  Andrew  Fowler,  Rector  of  ■  ■ 
church,  Bedford. 

—  Theodosius  Bartow,  Rector  of 
Trinity  church.  New  Roclielle. 

—  A\'iliiam  Hammel,  Rector  of  the 
churches  at  Jamaica,  Newtow^n  and 
Flushing. 

—  John  J.  Sands,  Minister  of  Christ 
church.  Rye. 

— -  Elijah  D.  Rattoone,  Professor  of  the 
Greek  and  Latin  Languages  in  Columbia 
college. 

—  Ammi  Rogers,  Rector  of  the 
chiuches  at  Schenectady  and  Ballston. 

—  John  Ireland,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  Westchester. 

—  . Belden,  Rector   of  Christ 

church,  Daiuiesburgh. 

—  Frederick  Van  Home,  Minister  of 
St.  Andrew's  church,  Ulster  county. 

Gardiner,  Minister  of  Christ 

church,  Hudson. 

Haskill,  Minister  of  • — 

church  Peek^kiil. 

—  James  Nicholls  officiates  every  3d 
Sunday  at  Camden. 

—  Daniel  Baaber  officiates  every  3d 
Sunday  at  Kingsbm'y. 

J\'eiu  Jersey. 

—  Uzal  Ogden,  Rector  of  Tiinity 
church,  Newark. 

—  Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Shrewsbury,  and  Christ  chiuch, 
Middletown. 

—  Henry  Van  Djke,  Rector  of  St. 
Mary's  church,  Burlington. 

William  Ayres,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  Spotswood. 

—  John  Crocs,  Rector  of  Trinity 
church,  Sweedsborough. 

—  Richard  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's  church,  Amboy,  but  residing  in 
the  state  of  New  York. 

—  Ehsha  D.  Rattoone,  Assistant  Mi- 


158 


jiister  of  Trinity  church,  Newark,  but 
residihgin  New  York. 

—  John  Wade,  residing-  at  present  in 
Cole's  Town. 

Pennsylvania. 
The  Right  Rev.  William  AVhite,  D.  D, 

Bishop. 
The  Rev.  WiUiam  Smith,  D.  D. 
• Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St. 

Paul's  chui-ch,  Philadelphia. 
— '  -«/ .  John  A  ndrews,  D.  D.  Vice   Pro- 

vost  of  the  University  of  i-'enn- 

sylvania. 
— —  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Assistant 

Minister  of  Christ  church    and 

St.   Peters,  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

— —   John   Campbell,    Rector   of  the 

Episcopal  churches  ot  York  and 

Huntingdon, 
-r.—  Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 

Radnor,  St  Peter's  in  the  Valley, 

and  .St.  James's,  Perkiomen. 
Ehsha  Rigg,  Rector  of  St,  James's, 

Lancaster. 
— —  Levi  Heath,  rector  of  Pequea  and 

Bangor  churches,  Lancaster  co. 
Robert  Ayre«,  rector  of  Kmanuel 

church  aiKl  .St.  Peter's  clmrch  in 

Washington  &  Fayette  counties. 
— —  Francis  Rene,  Westmoreland  co. 
Joseph  Tur:.er,  rector  of  St.  Paul's 

church,  Cliester,  and  St.  Martin's 

church,  Marcus  Hook. 

Caleb  Hopkins,  rector  of  Christ 

church,  Derry  township,  and 
Chrisv  cliuich,  Turbut  township, 
Northumberland  county. 
— —  Thomas  Davis,  Washington  co. 
James  Abercrombie,  .-.  ssistant  Mi- 
nister of  Christ  church  and  St. 
Petei''s,  in  the  city  of  Pliila. 

Joseph     Doddridge,     Deacon   in 

Washington  county. 
John  Taylor,  Deacon  in  Northum- 
berland county. 

Absalom    Jones,    a    black    man. 

Deacon  in  the  African  church  of 
St.  Thomas,  Philadelphia. 

Delaioare. 

■  Joseph  Clarkson,  rector  of  Trmity 

church,  Wilmington. 
Robert  Clay,  Emanuel  church.  New 

Castle. 
•— —    George    Dasheille,     St.     Anne's 

church,  Middlctown,  New  Castle 

county. 
Wilham  Pryce,  Christ  church,  Kent 

county. 


William   Skeliyi  Christ  church  i 

rev.  James  Wiltbank,  St.  Peter's 
church,  aussex  county. 
Maryland. 

The  Right  Rev.  ;  homas  J.  Clagget, 
D.  D.  Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Andi-ew  Elliott,  rector  of 
King  and  Queen ;  rev.  Francis 
Walker,  St.  Andrews;  rev. 
Charles  Smoot,  Wilham  and 
M;.ry,  St.  Maiy's  county 

Rev.  John  W.  Compton,  WiUiam 

and  Maiy ;  rev.  John  Weems, 
Porto  Tobacco;  Walter  Harrison, 
Durham,  Charles  county. 

*  Edward  Gantt,  jun.  All  Saints, 

Calvert. 

*  Joseph  Messenger,  St.   John's; 

rev.  Joseph  J  ackson.  Queen  Ami's, 
Prince  George. 

Clement  Brook ;  rev.  Walter  .-Ad- 

dison ;    Andrew  T.  Macormick, 

residing  in  Prince  Gtorge. 
— —  *  'I'liomas  Scott,  St.  James's ;  rev. 

Heni-y   Moscrop,    All   Hallows ; 

rev.     Ralph    Hig-ginbottoni,    St. 

Ann's  ;  rev.  Stepiien  Sjkes,  Ann 

Arimdel. 
— —  •  Thomas  Read,  Prince  George's  ; 

George,Raipii,  Waslimgton ;  rev. 

Edward  Gantt,  M.  D. ;  rev.  Ni- 

cliolas    W.    Lane,    St.    Peter's, 

Montgomery. 
George  Bowei-,  Rectorof  All  Saints, 

Fredei'ick. 
*  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  St.  Paul's ; 

rev.  'V.  Fitch    OUver,  St.   Tho. 

mas's,  Baltimore. 
— —  *  John  Coleman,  St.  John's  ;  rev. 

John   Allen,   St.   George's;  rev. 

Jolm  Ireland,  Harford. 
*  WiUiam  Duke,  St.  Mary  Ann's ; 

rev.   Jeremiah  Cosden,  St  Ste* 

phen's,  Cecil. 
Colm  Ferguson,  D.  D.  St.  Paul's  ; 

rev.  Archibald  Walker,  Kent. 
*  .Samuel  Keene,  D.  D.  St.  Luke's ; 

rev.  Samuel  Keene,  jun.  Queen 

Anne's. 
— -  Owen  F.  Magrath,  St.  Peter's,  rev. 

Jolm  Bowie,  D.  D.  St.  Michael's, 

Talbot. 
*  James  Kemp,  Great  Choptank, 

Dorchester. 

Samuel  Tingeley ;   rev.    Samuel 

Sloan,  Somerset. 
David  Ball,  Rector  of  All  Hallow's 

pai'ish,  Worcester. 
Virginia. 
The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D.  D. 

Bishop. 


*  Those  gentlemen  whose  names  are  marked  thus,  (*)  were  elected  members 
of  the  standing  committee  in  the  state  Convention  of  1795. 


159 


The  Rev.  Charles  O'Neil,  rector  of  Am- 

herst  parisii. 

Alexander  Hay,  Anlrim  do. 

— —  Dcvereux  Jairatt,  Batli  do 
— — <^ray,  Botetourt  do. 

HughCorrans  Bogju^s,  Berkley  do. 
— —  Benjamin  Brown,  JBrisland  do. 

—  Jo!)n  Syme,  Bristol  do. 

John  Cameron,  D.  D.  rector  of——. 

— —  Alexander  M'Failand,  Brunswick 

parish. 
— —  John  Bracken,  D.  D.  Brutun  do. 

John  Camm,  Charles  do. 

— —  Hefiernam ;  lev.  David  Ball, 

Christ  Church  do. 
I  James  Elliott,  Cople  do. 

— —  Needier  Robinson,  Dale  do. 
— —  Spence  Grayson,  Dettingen  do. 

Jesse  Carter,  Di")  sdale  do. 

John  J.  Spooner,  Elizabeth  City  do. 

James  Whitehead,  Elizabetli  Kiver 

parish. 
— —  Thomas  Davis,  Fairfax  do. 

Alexander  Balmain,  Frederick  do. 

— —  Mattliew  Maury, .  Fredericksnlle 

parish, 

—  James  Craig-,  Hamilton  do. 

— —  John  Buchanan,  D  D.  Henrico  do. 

Samuel  S.  M'Croskey,  D.  D.  Hun- 

gars  parish 
— —  James  Thompson,  Leeds  do. 
Charles  Crawford,  Lexington  do. 

William  Crawford, do. 

Eikanah  1  alley,  Littleton  do. 

Isaac  William  Gibbern,  Lunenburgh 
parish. 

—  Anthony  Walke,  Lynhaven  do. 
William  (Jameron,  Manchester  do. 

William  Hubard,  Newport  do. 

Henry  J.  Burgess,  Nottoway  do, 

Robert  BuciuiP,  Overwharton  do. 

Arthur  Emerson,  Portsmouth  do. 

John  BrunskiU,  Raleigh  de. 


Tlie  Rev.  Alexander  Lundie,  St.  An- 
drew's parish. 
— —  John  Mattliews,  St.  Bride's  do, 

-  Reuben  Clopton, . 

— ^  Cave  Jones,  St.  George's  do, 

■        Isaac  Foster,  — — , 

Jiimes  Stenvenson,  St.  George's  do. 

—— Charles  Hopkins,  St.  James  North- 
am  parish. 

James  Price,  St,  John's  do, 

Archibald  Dick,  St  Margaret's  do. 

John  Woodvllle,  St   Mark's  do. 

Peter  Nelson,  St.  Martin's  do. 

Abner  Waugh,  St.  Mary's  do. 

. William  Stewart,  St.  Paul's  do. 

John  Parsons, . 

John  Seward,  St.  Stephen's  do. 

John  Hyde  Saunders,  Southam  do^. 

Samuel  Butler,  Squthwark  do. 

Lee  Massey,  Truro,  do. 

Sewal  Cliapin,  Westover  do. 

James  Henderson,  York  do, 

Jolm  Bryan,  Wicomico  do, 

John  O'Donnel,  Hampshire  do, 

— —  1  homas  Hughes,  Petswortli  do. 
— r— Joseph  Wilson. 

Stephen  Johnson. 

John  Wade. 

Armistead  Smith,  Matthews  do. 

South  Carolina. 

Right   Rev.   Robert  Smith,  D.  D. 
Bishop, 

Rev.  Mr.  Frost. 

Dr.  Purcell,  St.  Michael's. 

Dr.  Gates. 

Mr.  Jenkins. 

Mr.  Nixon,  master  of  an  academy. 

Mr.  W)  lite,  Charleston. 

Mr.  Mills,  St.  Andi-ew's, 

Mr.  M'Culley,  St.  Luke's, 

Mr.  Tate,  St.  Helen's. 

Mr.  Blackwall,  St,  Bartholomew's. 

Mr.  Connor,  Edisto. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OF   THE 


JBISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


UNITED  S-FATES  OF  AMERICA, 


IN    A 


(§(BWf^EMWMM 


9 


HELD  IN 


The  City  of  Philadelphia,  from  Tuesday,  June  11th,  to  Wed- 
nesday, June  19th,  1799. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 

OF    THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DBPUTIES. 


From  the  State  of  Massachusetts, 
Rev.  William  Walter,  D.  D. 

from  the  State  of  Rhode  Idand, 
Rev.  Abraham  Lynsen  Clarke. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Benjamin 
Mall,  Esquire.. 

From  the  State  of  New  Tork, 
Rev.  John  Bisset,  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers. 

From  the  State  of  New  fersey. 

Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Rev.  Henry  Waddell,  Rev.  John 
Croes,  Rev.  Menzies  Rayner,  John  Rutherford,  Esquire,  Mr. 
JefFery  Clarke,  Mr.  John  Dennis. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania* 

Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Rev.  John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Rev. 
Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  General 
F'-ancis  Gurney,  John  C.  Stocker,  Esquire,  Mr.  Joseph  Sims, 
Mr.  J.  B.  Gilpin. 

From  the  State  of  Delaware, 

Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson,  Rev.  William  Pryce, 
Rev.  Walter  C.  Gardiner,  Joseph  Burn,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Virgmia, 
Rev.  John  Br^icken,  D.  D.  Robert  Andrews,  Esquire. 


JOURNAL 


OF  THE 


HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 

FhiladeLphia,  Christ  Church,  Twes^flz/,  y tine  11 ,  1799. 

A  SUFFlCIENT-m^mijeir^of  Ck?icajl\9n.d^.^i«y  Deputies,  to 
form  a  Convention  not  ai^pearing,  the.. members; present  adjourn- 
ed to  meet  at  the  State  Hoiise,  tb-mori"bw  morning  at  ten  o'clock. 

STAf^tiovsi.j  Wednesday'^yune  12. 

The  members  met  agreeably  to  adjournment,  ^nd  a  quorum  be- 
ing formed,  .^^-.v  ■  .uu^ti  \p  ■sV.>-.V.  nAi  s^^o-C^ 

Tfae  Right -Rev.  Dr.  .Whiftcread  ]^yils^diiiuH  uu;\ni'it  .rAl 

Deputies  from  seven  states  appearing,  the  house  pconeedbc^'fa^^ 
the   appointment,  by.  biUlot,.  of  a   President,  and  a   majority  of 
votes  were  found  for  the'ReV.  ^iltmttl  Smithy  B.  D.^ 

The  Rev.  JaMes  Ab(ii-femmb.i'6v'oi>€  tjf"^  thss'^ttssistatit  ministers 
of  Christ  Church  aii4  SUtPeter's-^vy^a.^papinte.dvSecretaiy  to  the 
onvention.  '      ,       '  ,  t*       _»! 

■^'esolvf^,^  That  the  mV:  'l>r.' Aii(lreWsitiforbi^''th^  HoSsfe^oFW-. 
shopfr^  thtit  the  house   off  Glerfcal   and  _Laj  Depfiitics  "i^  forn^ied]"* 
gnd  ready  to  proceed  to  business;  ^  nn.).,  .\jii  ^xAiiAJ  f^iAm  ^^ 

Resolved^  That  thje,  rules  of  .order  established /by  the  house  of 
Clerical  jmd  Lay  DepLities,  of  the  two  preceding  General  Co^- 
veriti«n^,,^l3e  .zid'opttid';' ■-  '-';'^'  "    '■    --^  ■  ■  ••  ' ^   ■■';  'f-' ''- •''   •'•'-'«• 

'The  Rev."  -Willia^^  Wail^ri'-^  D.  t>. '  tkrit:^  ;(ftpii't5t,  fj-^rfx'-'tft^'ft 
state  of  Massa'chiisetts'i  'tKi'^'Revl  Abrahaih  '  iA'Hse«-€l^r¥,.^Clfei^''''^ 
cal  deputy  from  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  ;  the  Rtfv.iJPcifin^bil^etf  ■' 
-^r.d  the  Rev.  Ammi  |iogei^s,, clerical -deputies, fimm    the   state   of 
New  York  ; .  the  .Rev,,lD"zal  Ogden,  D.'  J),  "the"  Re v.^ Henry,  VVad- 
dell,  and'the  Rev;  John  Crd'es;d6i-icat!Beputtes,''tltt'cf'Mi'.'^^^^ 
Clarke,  lay  depury,-frotn  the  state  of  Ntw-Jei^^f/  R^evV'WfiliaM'^' 
8mith,  D.  D.  the  Rey>  John.  Andrpj^s,  ^p,,  Dt- the  Rev.  Samuel 
Magaw,  D.  p.  and  the.  liev.  |lob^t^Rlaclcwei|^  D.,  I),   clerical 
«ieputi»?§^''Cjeneral  Frartcis'^irtiey, '  and  'Mk^ilbs^ph  Slidsf,'  lay 
deputies,  from  the  state  of  Pennsylvania ;  the  Rev.  Joseph  Clark- 
son,  the  Rev.  William  Pryce,  and  the  Rev.  Walter  C.  Gardiner, 
clerical  deputies,  and   Joseph  Burn,   Esquire,  lay  deputy,  from 
the  state  of  Delaware  j  and  the  Rev.,  John  Bracken,  D.  D.  cleri- 
cal duty,  and  Robert  Andrews,   Esquire,  lay  deputy  from   the 
gt^te  of  Virginia  j  delivered   in   at  the   Secretary's  table,  certifi- 
fatec  of  iheir  appointment,  which  were  read,  and  determined  to 
f^e  satisfactory, 

P'll',  IJisset  proposed  the  following  resolution,  viz  :  "  That  a 


1G3 

committee  consisting  of  members,  be  appointed  to  re- 

Vls^'tWe  Canons,  tojirbpo^e  amendments, 'and  t6'  t'epot'tf  the  whole 
iii  oWe^i^et^ular  sldi^Pes."  'IHiis  resbluti6ri  vVa^  rpad  iind^irdered'to 
lie  on  the  table.         ,     .  ■     t  '   <\ 

'Adjbornedtb.tenb'clotk  to-raorrov^  mbrnitig. 

Thursdax,  y^^!^  ^^' 

..;i  J   .-.;.■    .  ■         '■'■>•  .:.■■■ 

Prayers  being. read  Jsy^' the 'Secretary,  th<e  hbuse  proceeded  to 
business.  ■  i  ;      ^  .     .   • 

The  Rev.  William  Smith.  D.  D.  and  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Bald- 
win, clerical  deputies,  and  Benjamin  tfall,  Esquire,  lay  deputy 
from  the  state  of  Connecticut,  presented  their  testimonials,  which 
were  approved,  and  they  took  their  seats  accordingly.  Mr.  John 
Dennis,  a  lay  deputy  from  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  and  J-yhn  C. 
'Stocker,  Esquire,  a  lay  deputy,  from  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
took  their  seats.  '    •; ," 

Mr,  Bisset's   proposed  resolution  of  yesterday,  was  taken  up, 
tind  carried,  and   the  blank  ordered  to  be  filled  up  with  the  word 
"  five." 
,  .  The  members  appointed  were, 

Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  of  Connecticut, 
Rev.  Mr.  Bisset,  of  New  York, 
Rev.Mr.  Waddell,  of  New  Jersey, 
Gen.  Gurney,  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Mr.  Hall,  of  Connecticut. 

The  house  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  on  the 
state  of  the  church  ; 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Walter  in  the  chair. 

After  some  time  the  committee  rose,  and  the  chairman  reported 
the  following  resolution,  viz  : 

Resolved^  That  the  consideration  of  the  resolution,  for  an  alter- 
ation_,in  the  constitution  of  this  church,  proposed  in  the  last  Ge- 
neral Convention,  in  these  words :  "  But  if  the  church  shall  not 
be  represented  in  both  orders,  by  a  majority  of  the  states,  then 
the  votes  shall  be  given  by  states,  without  regard  to  orders,"  be 
postponed  to  the  next  General  Convention. 

This  resolution  was  disagreed  to  by  the  House. 

Resolved^  That  this  House  will  now  go  into  a  committee  of 
the  whole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  second  resolution  of  the 
General  Convention  of  Friday,  Sept.  18,  1795,  and  to  report 
thereon. 

The  house  resolved  itself  accordingly.  Dr.  Walter  in  the  chair. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  whole  reported,  that  the 
committee  hud  risen,  and  requested  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved^  That  in  the  places  of  Dr.  Moore  and  Mr.  Bend,  who 
are  absent,  Dr.  Smith  of  Connecticut,  and  Mr.  Bisset,  be  added 
to  the  other  three  members,  viz  :  Dr.  Smith  of  Pennsylvania, 
Dr.  Andrews,  and  Dr.  Magaw,  the  comtnittee  appointed  by  th'; 


i6i 

last  General  Convention  to  digest  and  report  a  course  of  study  tor 
candidates  for  holy  orders,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  report 
the  same  during  the  present  session. 

Resolved^  That  Dr.  Andrews  and  Mr.  Andrews  be  a  committee, 
to  bring  in  a  canon  prescribing  the  mode  of  calling  special  meet- 
ings of  the  General  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  officiate  as  Chap« 
lain  to  the  Convention  during  the  present  session. 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  yune  14. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Chaplain  read  prayers. 
The  Rev.  Menzies  Rayner,  a  clerical  deputy  from  the  state  of 
■^ew  Jersey,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  a  clerical  deputy  from 
the  state  of  Delaware,  took  their  seats. 

Mr.  Andrews,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  report  a  canon 
for  calling  special  Conventions,  reported  a  canon,  prescribing  the 
mode  of  calling  special  Conventions  ;  which  was  read  the  first 
time,  and  ordered  for  a  second  reading. 

On  motion,  the  canon  prescribing  the  mode  of  calling  special 
Conventions,  was  read  a  second  time,  amended,  and  ordered  to 
be  fairly  transcribed  for  a  third  reading :  it  was  then  passed,  and 
sent  for  concurrence,  by  the  Secretary,  to  the  house  of  Bishops, 

Mr.  Croes  presented  testimonials  from  the  State  Convention  of 
New  Jersey,  recommending  the  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  as 
Bishop  of  that  state. 

Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  the  House  resolved  itself  into  a 
committee  of  the  whole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  framing  articles  of  religion.      Dr.  Walter  in  the  chair. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  reported  the  following  resolu- 
tion, viz  : 

Resolved,  That  the  articles  of  our  faith  and  religion,  as  found- 
ed on  the  holy  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  arc 
sufficiently  declared  in  our  creeds  and  liturgy,  as  set  forth  in  the 
book  of  common  prayer  estiblished  for  the  use  of  this  church; 
and  that  further  articles  do  not  appear  necessary. 
This  resolution  was  disagreed  to  by  the  House. 
The  house  of  Bishops,  sent  for  concurrence  a  form  of  conse- 
cration of  a  church  or  chapel,  which  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
table. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Clarkson  asked  leave  of  absence  till  Tuesday, 
which  was  not  granted. 

Adjourned  to  6  o'clock  this  evening. 

Friday  evening,  6  d^clock. 

The  House  met. 
■  The  canon,  prescribing  the  mode  of  calling  special  Conventions, 


165 

<lras  returned  with  amendments  from  the  house  of  Bishops,  which 
were  agrted  to. 

The  form  of  consecration  of  a  church  or  chapel,  sent  to  this 
House  by  the  Bishops,  was  read,  and  referred  to  a  committee  of 
the  whole  house  to-morrow  morning. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  testimonials,  respecting  the  Bi- 
shop elect  of  New  Jersey,  be  read,  which  was  done. 

Resolved^  That  the  consideration  of  this  subject  be  postponed 
till  to-morrow. 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  Jwie  15. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Chaplain  read  prayers. 
The  House  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  testimonials 
in  favour  of  the  Bishop  elect  of  New  Jersey,  and,  after  discus- 
sion, the  subject  was  postponed. 

A  resolution  was  proposed  by  Mr.  Bisset,  that  the  Convention 
now  proceed  to  the  framing  of  articles  of  religion  for  this  church. 
The  question  was  taken  by  yeas  and  nays  as  follows  : 
Clergy.  Laitv. 

Massachusetts — No.  Connecticut — Yea. 

Connecticut — Yea.  New  Jersey — Yea. 

Rhode  Island — Yea.  Pennsylvania — Yea, 

New  York — Yea.  "Virginia— -No. 

New  Jersey — Yea. 
Pennsylvania — No. 
Delaware — Yea. 
Virginia — No. 
So  it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative. 

Resolved^  That  the  committee  shall  consist  of  a.  member  frem 
each  state  now  represented;  who  were  chosen,  and  were  as 
follows : 

Massachusetts,  Dr.  Walter;  Connecticut,  Dr.  Smith;  New  York, 
Mr.  Bisset;  New  Jersey,  Mr.  Waddellj  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  An- 
drews; Delaware,  Mr.  Clay;  Virginia,   Dr.  Bracken. 

Resolved^  That  leave  be  given  to  Mr.  Baldwin  to  bring  in  a  ca- 
non, to  regulate  the  qualifications  of  ministers  to  vote  in  State 
and  General  Conventions. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  Bishops,  communi- 
cating "  a  resolution  for  altering  the  1st  article  of  the  constitu- 
tion ;"  and  "  a  proposal  of  a  prayer,  to  be  used  at  the  meetings  of 
Conventions." 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  to 
lake  into  consideration  the  communications  from  the  house  of  Bi- 
shops.    Dr.  Walter  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  rose,  and  reported  certain  amendments  in  the 
"  Form  of  consecration  of  a  church,  or  chapel ;"  also,  amend- 
ments to  the  "  resolution,  for  the  time  of  meeting  of  future  Ge- 
aeral  Conventions ;"  together  with  an  amendment  to  the  "  prayer, 


concur rfeu  m  by  the  Ifouse.  ,   ,^ 

Gren<:ral  Convention;'  wnich.y^fls,jp;r^gq^tv«[c[^y.rg^"^^j^ 
Adjoijrne4:^q;pp)o'^l9<;>,iPn  :^.0i^%  mprpipg,  .,/.  (,,  ,  - . 

The  House  met,;ahd  tttfe  CJhajilainread^nl^^rsi 
M.Y.  Ba]d\vin  presented  ,"  -h  c^qon^  to  r-ggulate  the  qualifications 
of  ministers  to  vote  m  State  "arid' General' Conventions ;"  which 
was  read,  and,oi!'d<?r«4  ^tt)  iie  <&flE.th.<>abt(?.'  .,,■,■>     ■   .,;i   ':  s  I'i' 
f!;;fjli*«;  proposed,  V  t^anon^  ieapQciing,  ^h)G  cpnsecration  of  Bisj^ops 
ifl  the  rf <jji5?  piitibe.€QTivttttioiV*^-  Wft?,rea,^,a,  second  ^i;Tve,  ^fl;^]eq4- 
ed,  and  ordered  to  be  sent  to  tKs  housppf  Jf.i^hop5,!       .;,;  .r.-v 
r  o!T:be.;c!D*nflOiunicati9as  ,ft-oi>i.thft  House   oi  IJi^hops,  wiith'  the 
^teenilmiwits;. proposed ihy  thd  hpase  of  .Cjier^pal  ^n<rl  I^f^y  .Depijiijes, 
were  returned  by  Uie  House  of  Bishops,  with  tijieir  cpucurr^nce. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee,  for  revising  aad  j^mending  the 
canons,; ;oliule  a  report'^  which  was  rea.d,,-and  ordered  to;  be  re- 
committed—■/  ,  •"  .  - -.  ,  ,.  ■ 

At  1 1  o'clock,  the  ho«se  adjourned  fo^  t^Ji'o  hsouils>- in  oriier  that 
the  several  committees, niight  finish  their  reports*--    ^ 

Monday,  1  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  House  met.  '"''"'.      '"  ' . 

Mr.  Andrews  solicited  leav.e  to  bring  in  ^  ■Capon^'r'^pealing  in 
part  the  canon  of,  1 795,  "  coftcerning  the  learning  bf  those  who  are 
fo^be  ordained  i"' which  was  grantfe'd  ;  and  the  carton  was  read, 
appr6vedi  and  Sent  for  concurretice  to  the  house  of  Bishops. 

.  On  motion  of  Mr,  Bisset,  Resolved,  That  the  committee,  ap- 
pointed. tO  review  and  arrange  the 'canons,  be  dischdrged  ;  and 
tliat  ah' the  canons  which  have  been  passed  in  preceding  General 
Conventions,  togetlfcr  with  those  which  may  be  passed  during 
the  present  session,  shall  be  arranged  under  the  respective  years 
In  which  they  Were'  eiliacted,  arid  printed  at  the  end  of  the  Jour- 
nal of  this  Convention.  Provided,  nevertheless,  that,  if  any^  ca- 
non of  the  preceding  Cony entions  has  been  repealed,  it  shall  be 
mentioned  by  its  number  and  title  only,  followed  by  a  notification 
of  its  having  been  repealed.' 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr-  Bisset,  that  it  be  made  known  to 
the  several  State  Cdnventvohs,  that  it  is  proposed  to  consider  and 
determine  in  the  nbXt  General  Convention,  on  the  following  ad- 
dition to  the  second  article  of  the  constitution,  to  be  introduced 
m^he  9th  line,  after  the  word  "  Convention,"  viz  : 

«',  But  if  the  church  shall  not  be  represented  in  both  orders,  in 
a.'  majority  of  the  states,  then  the  votes  shall  be  by  states^  with- 
out regard  to  oi'ders.**  ' 


167'^ 


"  canon,  respepting  trie  consccrauun  oi  nisnops  avuing  T.ne:,retps(S 
Adiouri;ied,to  ten  o'clcjek  ^o-Wom\v-hloi^hin'g..  '■-'\';;?'/l^T  '''T^"" 

•  ^Tuesday  morninq^  Jp^.  1^ ^  ^,,    ^;  ,,^^.^^^  ^j,^^^ 

'l^hVfibiib"^  .met,-^tI:the'\Ghafj|Mn  VM'pi^ft^eiis'. '  ^    >^'^^-'^^^ 
The  prop-6^b(J''t:6ti'6Yl,  'l-espefctl^gih(r''quJi?ir«tktiWh'  bf 'i*(Mstei^T 

and  ordered  to  be  §ent  for  concurrence  to'VhtiHoii^  bi^^K^o^i^i'^ 
wEich  ^vHi^idb^^.  ^'■•^  ■-'^^•^"''"^"'■"'^^  ^■"  J>"J'^-'-Jp^'  ^'   '  JJ^^:**     ''•- 
Mr.  J,  B.  Gilpin,  a  Lay  Depj#i^!'f6^'ifte'ljfete'offpt^i|s5^^^ 

•1%e.fchii\rWilh/W^?I    '■ '■"    ""'  '    "   ""    -"  -''   '-^ 

venteen  ^rticlS^^c^j'ifeH^ 
md^itih 'oF  Mf  f  B^et'," 

the  consjderauon  of  the  articles/A'oiir  i»^|ibfe'^rfd^'W^a^  tte' jl6^t'-' 
potiedTancT'-'t^t^tHr^S^^trtli<^f>^''lii^n^d^^  ._ 

Journal  of  this  Convention,  to  lie    over  for  the  c.9nsideyA^!bn' IpF^ 
the  next  GeneraJ  Convention.        •'  '^'-^  ■^^'*^''  f'^'-"''''  'L'^-  --^'^^'i  -■'^ 

I)r.,  Brac^^n  j^sjc^^oj,  ^eaye^t«,^j^^^^  Ay^ca^on^  s^PP^^me^jt^ry  to 
the  '2d  c^nofr  of  1795,    ^  concerning  the  tcsrunonials' to  be^'^rodu- 
"  ce^,  on^tb£l<paltt^of|1^O6e]]^rh0  ajMW  be  ordained  j"  which  was 
read  twice,  and,  upon  the  question  (q^  ^e  thk^l  r^eajiii^  wp,§^^ 
gatived.  '  • "'  ' 

The  testimonials  of  the  Bishop,  dec!  of  New  Jersey  being  called 
up,  the  following  resolution  passed : 

"  Whereas  doubts  have  arisen  ^^i;f^'e\ nn in ds  of  some  mem- 
bers of  the  Convention,  whether  all  the  Priests  who  voted  in  the 
ele«tiDQ^<tftbciR€KJ\tIi.£i|OgdeA,DiD. "to* the  office  of  a  Bishop 
in  the  state  of  N4.W"»IerBey,  were  ;SQ  qitiaUfied,  .as  to  constitute 
them  i 
sta?6v 
and'^i         ,  „  ^. ^  .  -, 

-tiie'lhtjA-t'^t'ofW^ib'n  iiM  tti^'ftbffoui'''df  tHir^'chtirct'it'ii  nBt 


to'the'lhtf^t'^t'oiPi^t^^ib'n  itHA  tti^'ftbffOui'''df^tH^r'c 


tnendin^  ta  \^  of* 


16« 

lice  so  very  sacred,, should  have  a  full  conviction  of  the  fitness  of 
the  person  they  recommend,  but  that  they  should  also  be  perfect- 
ly satisfied  with  respect  to  the  regularity  of  every  step  which  had 
been  taken  in  the  business  : 

Resolved  therefore,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of  De- 
puties, all  proceedings,  respecting  the  consecration  of  the  Rev. 
Uzal  bgden,  D.  D.  ought  to  be  suspended,  until  a  future  Con- 
vention of  the  state  of  New  Jersey  shall  declare  their  sense  of  the 
subject." 

The  house  of  Bishops  returned  the  canon,  "  to  regulate  the 
qualifications  of  Ministers,  ike."  with  amendments.  The  amended 
title  was  adopted;  the  other  proposed  amendment  was  rejected. 

The  House  of  Bishops  receded  from  their  amendment  of  the 
canon,  explanatory  of  the  1st  canon  of  1795. 

Resolved^  That  the  next  general  Convention,  to  be  held  agreea- 
bly to  the  constitution  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  September,  1801, 
shall  meet  In  the  city  of  Trenton. 

Resolved^  That  the  I^ight  Rev.  Dr.  White  be  requested  to 
preach,  at  the  opening  of  the  nexjt  General  Convention. 

Resohfidf  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  informed,  that  this 
house  is  ready  to  adjourn. 

Mr.  Bisset  was  requested  to  communicate  the  two  preceding 
resolves  to  the  House  of  Bishops.  ;   ,     -     ; 

Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given  to  jtjjeir  Pre- 
sident, the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  and  to  their  Secretary  and  Ohaplaini 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Abercrombie,  for  then  attention  and  services. 

Mr.  Bisset  reported,  "  That  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White  would 
•'comply  with  the  request  of  this  house,  and  that  the  house  of 
*'  Bishops,  having  no  further  communications  to  make,  concurred  i 
"in  the  resolution  of  adjournment." 

Ordered,  That  five  hundred  and  seventy  copies  of  the  journal 
be  printed. 

The  house  adjourned,  sine  die* 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President* 

James  AseRcecmbie,  Secretary. 


APPENDIX. 

Extract  from  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Cknical  and  Lay  Der- 
puties,  in  Convention  met^  1799. 

*'  Resolved  unanimously^  That  on  account  of  the  advanced  pe- 
"  riod  of  the  present  session,  and  the  thinness  of  the  Convention, 
*'  the  consideration  of  the  articles,  now  reported  and  read,  be 
"  postponed     »nd  that  the  Secretary  transcribe  the  articles  info 


169 


"  the  journal  of  this  Convention,  to  lie  over  for  the  consideration 

*'  of  the  next  General  Convention." 
The  articles,  referred  to  are  as  follows. 

I.  Of  faith  in  the  Holy  Trinity, 
There  is  but  one  living  and  true  God,  everlasting;  of  infinite 
power,  wisdom,  and  goodness ;  the  maker  and  preserver  of  all 
things  visible  and  invisible.  And  in  the  unity  of  this  Godhead, 
there  are  three  persons ;  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost: 
our  Creator,  Redeemer,  and  Sanctifier. 

II.     Of  the  Holy  Scripture. 

Holy  Scripture  containeth  all  things  necessary  to  salvation ;  so 
that  whatsoever  is  not  read  therein,  and  cannot  be  proved  thereby, 
is  not  to  be  received  as  an  article  of  faith,  nor  deemed  necessary 
to  salvation. 

By  Holy  Scripture,  we  understand  the  canonical  books  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament.      \ 

The  names  and  number  of  the  canonical  books  in  the  Old  Testa-^ 

ment. 


CHAPTERS, 

CHAPTERS, 

1.  Genesis             having' 

50 

21. 

Ecclesiastes 

having 

12 

2.  Exodus         .        -        -        . 

40 

22. 

The  song  of  Solomon 

. 

8 

3.  Leviticus      .... 

27 

23. 

Ibaiah 

. 

, 

66 

4.  Numbers      .... 

36 

24. 

Jeremiah     - 

. 

. 

52 

5.  Deuteronomy        ... 

34 

25. 

Lamentations 

. 

. 

5 

6.  Joshua          .... 

24 

26. 

Ezelciel 

. 

. 

48 

7.  Judges         .... 

21 

27. 

Daniel 

. 

. 

12 

8.  Kuth             .... 

4 

28. 

Hosea 

. 

. 

14 

9.  The  1st  book  of  Samuel 

31 

29. 

Joel      . 

_ 

. 

3 

10.  The  2d  book  of  Samuel 

24 

30. 

Amos 

_ 

. 

9 

11.  The  1st  book  of  Kings 

22 

31. 

Obadiah 

. 

. 

1 

12.  The  2d  book  of  Kings 

25 

32. 

Jonah 

. 

. 

4 

13.  The  1st  book  oi"  Chronicles 

29 

33. 

Micah 

, 

. 

7 

14.  The  2d  book  of  Chronicles 

36 

34. 

Nahum 

_ 

_ 

3 

15.  Ezra             .... 

10 

35. 

Habakuk 

,        . 

. 

3 

16.  Nehemiah              ... 

13 

36. 

Zephaniah 

, 

. 

3 

17.  The  book  of  Esther      . 

10 

37. 

Haggai 

. 

. 

2 

18.  The  book  of  Job 

42 

38. 

Zechariah 

. 

. 

14 

19.  The  Psalms. 

150 

39. 

Malachi 

. 

. 

4 

30.  The  Proverbs 

31 

The  names  and  number  of  the  canonical  books  of  the  New  Testament. 

CHAPTERS. 

CHAPTERS. 

1.  St  Matthew         having 

28 

15 

1st  Epistle  to  Ti 

mothy 

having 

& 

2.  St.  Mark      .... 

16 

16. 

2d  Epistle  to  Timothy 

. 

4 

3.  St.  Luke      .... 

24 

17. 

Epistle  to  Titus 

. 

. 

3 

4.  St.  John        .... 

21 

18. 

Epistle  to  Philemon 

. 

1 

5.  The  Acts  of  the  Apostles 

28 

19. 

Epistle  to  the  Hebrews 

. 

13 

6.  Epistle  to  the  Romans 

16 

20. 

Epistle  of  St.  James 

. 

5 

7.  1st  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians 

16 

21. 

1st  Epistle  of  St. 

Peter 

. 

5 

8.  2d  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians 

13 

22. 

2d  Epistle  of  St. 

Peter 

_ 

3 

9.  Epistle  to  the  Galaiians 

5 

23. 

1st.  Epistle  of  St  John 

. 

5 

10.  Epistle  to  the  Epheiians 

6 

24. 

2d  Epistle  of  St 

John     - 

. 

1 

11.  Epistle  to  the  Philipians 

4 

25. 

3d  Epistle  of  St  John 

_ 

1 

12.  Epistle  to  the  Colossians 

4 

26. 

Epistle  of  St  Jude. 

. 

1 

13.  1st  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians 

5 

27. 

Revelation  of  St.  John  the  Divine 

2? 

14,  2d  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians 

3 

z 


IVO 

The  Apocryphal  books  are  read  by  the  church,  for  example  of 
life,  and  instruction  of  manners,  not  for  the  establishment  of  dis- 
cipline, or  doctrine. 

III.  Of  the  Old  and  New  Testament. 

There  is  a  perfect  harmony  and  accordance  between  the  Old 
and  New  Testament;  for  in  both,  "  Pardon  of  sin  and  everlasting 
"  life  are  offered  to  mankind  through  Christ,  who  is  the  only  me- 
"  diator  between  God  and  man ;"  and  although  Christians  are 
not  bound  to  obey  the  civil  and  ceremonial  precepts,  yet  are  they 
obliged  to  observe  all  the  moral  commandments  of  the  Mosaic 
dispensation. 

IV.  Of  the  Creeds. 

The  Nicene  creed  and  the  Apostles  creed,  ought  to  be  retained 
and  believed ;  because  every  article,  contained  in  them  may  be 
proved  by  Holy  Scripture. 

V.  Of  the  transgression  of  our  first  parents. 

By  the  transgression  of  our  first  parents,  they  lost  that  primitive 
innocence  and  perfect  holiness  in  which  God  had  created  them; 
and  thus  the  nature  of  man  became  corrupted,  and  prone  to  evil; 
so  that  there  is  no  man  living,  who  sinneth  not. 

VI.  Of  Justification. 

We  are  justified,  or  pardoned  by  God,  not  on  account  of  our 
own  good  works,  but  only  through  the  merits  and  mediation  of 
our  blessed  redeemer  and  advocate,  Jesus  Christ.  But  although 
good  works  cannot  put  away  our  sins,  nor  appear  perfect  before 
God ;  yet  are  they  pleasing  and  acceptable  to  God  in  Christ,  and 
essentially  necessary  to  salvation ;  for  scripture  assures  us,  that 
"  faith,  without  works,  is  dead ;"  and  that,  "  without  holiness, 
"'  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord."  ' 

VII.  Of  Predestination  and  Election. 

Being  well  assured,  from  holy  scripture,  of  the  eternal  purpose 
or  promise  of  redemption,  according  to  which,  God  sent  his  Son 
to  be  the  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  and  Christ 
Jesus  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all ;  we  receive  the  doctrine  of 
predestination  as  consistent  with,  and  agreeable  to,  this  most 
gracious  and  general  scheme  of  salvation,  which  we  believe  to 
be  universal  in  the  intention,  however  partial  the  wickedness  of 
mankind  may  render  it  in  the  application.  Under  the  impression 
of  this  belief,  it  is  the  duty  of  christians  to  be  satisfied  with,  and 
attend  to,  the  promises  of  God,  as  they  are  generally  set  forth  to 
us  in  holy  scripture,  without  seeking  to  be  "  wise  above  what  is 
"  written,"  or  plunging  into  the  unrevealed  secrets  of  either  past 


171 

or  future  eternity^  but  always  remembering  the  distinction  which 
in  such  cases  Moses  lays  down  :  "  Secret  things  belong  unto  the 
''  Lord  our  God  ;  but  the  things  which  are  revealed  belong  unto 
"  us,  and  to  our  children  for  ever  ;  that  we  may  do  all  the  words 
"  of  this  law." 

VIII.  Of  salvation  by  Christ  alone. 

Holy  scripture  declares,  that  "  there  is  none  other  name  under 
"  Heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved,  but  only 
"  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  But  we  are  not  autho- 
rised to  assert,  that  men  shall  not  be  saved  by  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  to  whom  his  gospel  has  not  been  promulgated.  We  leave 
them  to  the  uncovenanted  mercies  of  God. 

IX.  Of  the  Church. 

The  visible  church  of  Christ  is  the  whole  multitude  of  believ- 
ers, of  whatsoever  nation  or  language,  dwelling  on  the  face  of  the 
earth,  among  whom  the  pure  word  of  God  is  preached,  the  sa- 
craments duly  administered,  and  the  order  of  the  priesthood  ob- 
served, according  to  Christ's  ordinance  and  appointment. 

X.  Of  the  authority  of  the  Church. 

The  church  hath  power  to  ordain,  change,  and  abolish,  rites 
and  ceremonies,  and  to  determine  controversies  of  faith :  but  it 
is  not  lawful  for  the  church,  to  ordain  or  command  any  thing  to 
be  received  or  believed,  which  is  contrary  to  the  canon  of  scrip- 
ture ;  or  to  expound  one  part  of  the  same,  so  as  to  be  repugnant 
to  another.  The  church,  also,  is  the  witness,  or  keeper  of  holy 
writ ;  and  must  neither  adulterate,  nor  add  to,  nor  take  from,  the 
same. 

XI.  Of  ministeri7ig  in  the  Church. 

It  is  not  lawful  for  any  man  to  take  upon  him  the  office  of  pub- 
lic preaching,  or  administering  the  holy  sacraments,  until  he  be 
regularly  ordained,  and  sent  to  execute  the  same.  And  those  we 
judge  lawfully  sent,  who  are  ordained  by  the  Bishops  of  the 
church. 

XII.  Of  the  Sacraments, 

Sacran>ents  were  ordained  by  Christ,  not  only  to  be  badges  or 
tokens  of  christian  profession,  but  to  be  outward  and  visible  signs 
of  inward  and  spiritual  grace ;  by  which  he  doth  work  invisibly 
in  us,  and  doth  not  only  quicken,  but  also  strengthen  and  con- 
firrii,  our  faith  in  him. 

XIII.  Of  Baptisin. 

Baptism  is  an  ordinance  by  which  we  are  regenerated,  and  bom 


172 

again  of  water  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  received  into  Christ*s  church, 
and  made  living  members  of  the  same. 

XIV.  Of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

The  Supper  of  the  Lord  is  not  only  a  token  of  the  love  that 
christians  ought  to  have  towards  one  another,  but  rather  a  pledge 
of  our  redemption  by  Christ's  death.  To  such  as  worthily  re- 
ceive the  same,  the  bread  which  is  broken  is  a  partaking  of  the 
body  of  Christ ;  and  the  cup  of  blessing  is  a  partaking  of  the 
blood  of  Christ :  both  which  are  spiritually  received,  for  the  pre- 
servation of  our  souls  and  bodies  unto  everlasting  life. 

XY.  Of  the  oblation  of  Christ. 

The  oblation  of  the  body  of  Christ,  once  made,  is  that  perfect 
sacrifice,  propitiation,  and  satisfaction,  which  was  offered  for  the 
sins  of  the  whole  world.  And  there  is  no  other  sacrifice,  satis- 
faction, or  atonement,  for  sin,  but  that  only. 

XVI.  Of  excommunicated  Persons. 

Whosoever  is  publicly  excommunicated  by  the  governors  of 
the  church,  and  cut  off  from  the  unity  of  the  same,  is  to  be  consi- 
dered as  an  alien  from  the  promises  of  the  gospel,  until  he  be 
openly  reconciled,  and  received  again  into  communion. 

XVII.  Of  the  power  of  the  Civil  Magistrate. 

The  power  of  the  civil  magistrate  extendeth  to  all  men,  as  well 
clergy  as  laity,  in  all  things  temporal  ;  but  hath  no  authority  in 
things  purely  spiritual.  And  we  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  all  men 
who  are  professors  of  the  gospel,  to  pay  a  respectful  obedience  to 
the  civil  authority,  regularly  and  legitimately  constituted. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

Philadelphia,  Christ  Church,  Tuesday.,  June  11,  1799. 

THIS  being  the  day  of  a  special  meeting  of  the  General  Con- 
vention of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  duly  summoned,  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  attended  ; 
and  appointed  to  meet  the  next  day  at  10  o'clock,  in  the  com- 
mittee room  of  the  House  of  Assembly  :  leave  having  been  given 
to  meet  there,  by  his  excellency  the  Governor. 

Wednesday.,  June  12^  1799. 

In  the  committee  room  of  the  House  of  Assembly, 


173 

Present  as  before,  together  with  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Pro- 
voost,  of  the  state  ot"  New  York,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Bass,  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts. 

This  being  a  special  meeting  ;  and  the  Bishop,  whose  turn  it 
would  have  been  to  preside  agreeably  to  the  rules  ot  this  House, 
not  attending,  Bishop  A>  hite,  the  president  of  the  last  Convention 
was  requested  to  preside. 

Resolved^  That,  during  the  session  of  the  Convention,  the 
House  will  attend  divine  service  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  received  a  message,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews, 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  infurming,  that 
they  are  organized  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business.  This  House 
declared,  that  they  also  are  read)  to  proceed. 

After  some  time,  the  House  adjourned  until  to-morrow  morn- 
ing at  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday^  June  13. 

The  House  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart  was  appointed  Secretary. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost  proposed  to  the  considera- 
tion of  this  House,  a  form  of  consecration  of  a  church  or  chapel, 
which  was  read,  and  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  to-morrow. 

The  House  adjourned  to  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday^  J  line  14. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  presented,  by  their 
Secretary  a  proposed  canon,  prescribing  the  mode  of  calling  spe- 
cial meetings  ot  the  General  Convention. 

The  House  went  into  the  consideration  of  the  "  form  of  conse- 
cration of  a  church  or  chapel ;"  which,  after  amendment,  they 
adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for 
their  concurrence. 

The  House  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties the  proposed  "  canon,  prescribing  the  mode  of  calling  special 
"  meetings  of  the  General  Convention,"  with  amendments. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday^  June  15. 

The  House  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  House  agreed  to  a  resolve,  respecting  an  alteration  in  the 
*'  first  ariicle  of  the  general  constitution,''  and  sent  it  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for  their  concurrence. 

The  House  proposed  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, "  a  prayer,  to  be  used  at  the  meeting  of  the  Convention," 
and  to  be  printed  with  the  Journal  of  the  present  Convention. 

The  House  adjourned  to  Monday  morning,  9  o'clock. 


174 

Monday,  June  17,  1799. 

'^I'he  hoube  met.     Present  as  on  Saturday. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  to  this 
house,  by  their  Secretary,  the  resolution  for  altering  the  "First 
"article  of  the  general  constitution,"  with  an  amendment.  Also 
the  "  Prayer  to  be  used  at  meetings  of  the  Convention,"  with  an 
amendment.  Also,  the  "  Form  of  consecration  of  a  church  or 
chapel,"  with  sundry  amendments. 

1'he  house  passed  the  resolution,  respecting  the  alteration  of 
the  *'  First  article  of  the  General  constitution,"  with  the  proposed 
amendnient ;  which  resolution  is  as  follows,  viz. 

Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  several  state  Conven- 
tions J  that  it  is  proposed,  to  consider  and  determine  in  the  next 
General  Convention,  on  the  following  alteration  ot  the  "First 
"article  of  the  constitution." 

"  Article  I.  There  shall  be  a  general  convention  of  the  Pro- 
"  testant  Episcopal  church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on 
"the  third  Tuesday  in  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1805,  and 
"  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  May,  in  every  fifth  year  afterwards  in 
"■  such  place,  &c."  as  before. 

The  house  passed  the  "  Prayer  to  be  used  at  meetings  of  the 
Convention,"  with  the  proposed  amendment. 

The  house  approved  of  the  amendments  to  the  "  Form  of  con- 
"  secration  of  a  church  or  chapel,"  with  an  exception  to  one, 
which  they  ordered  to  be  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  ;  that  they  had  receded  from  their  amendment  to  the 
"  Form  of  consecration  of  a  church  or  chapel ;"  which  amendment 
had  been  disagreed  to  by  this  house. 

The  "  Form  of  consecration,"  was  then  passed  as  amended. 

A  proposed  canon  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  respecting  the  consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  recess 
of  the  General  Convention. 

The  above  canon  was  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  with  a  proposed  substitute. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties a  proposed  canon,  repealing  in  part,  the  "  Fourth  canon  of 
"  1795,  concerning  the  learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained." 

The  house  passed  the  above  canon. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

The  house  adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  June  18,  1799. 

The  house  met.  Present  as  yesterday,  except  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Provoost. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  informed  the  house, 
r,hat  they  had  agreed  to  the  proposed  substitute  to  the  canon,  re- 


175 

specting-  the  "  consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  recess  of  the  Gene- 
*""  ral  Convention-" 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  presented  to  this 
house  a  proposed  canon,  to  regulate  the  qualification  of  Ministers 
to  vote  in  the  state  and  General  Conventions. 

The  aforesaid  canon  was  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  with  a  substitute  for  the  title,  and  another  proposed 
amendment. 

The  house  concurred  in  the  foVunving  resolution,  which  they 
received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  ond  Lay  Deputies,  viz. 

Resolved,  That  Trenton  in  New  Jersey,  be  the  place  of  meet- 
ing of  the  next  General  Convention. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  informed  this  house, 
that  they  had  concurred  in  the  amendments  to  the  proposed  canon, 
prescribing  the  "  mode  of  calling  special  meetings  of  the  General 
Convention." 

The  house  then  passed  the  above  canon. 

'The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  informed  this  house, 
that  they  had  concurred  in  the  proposed  "  substitute  to  the  title 
"  of  a  canon,"  which  originated  in  their  house ;  and  that  they  had 
disagreed  to  the  proposed  amendment. 

The  house  receded  from  the  amendment,  and  passed  the  canon, 
in  title  as  follows. 

"  A  canon  explanatory,  of  part  of  the  *  First  canon  of  1795." 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  informed  this  house, 
that  they  had  finished  the  business  before  them,  and  were  ready 
to  rise. 

The  house  declared  that  they  also  are  ready  to  rise. 

The  house  rose. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attested.,  John  Henry  Hob  art,  Secretary. 


CANONS 

For  the  government  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.^  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

The  following  canons  were  agreed  on,  and  ratified  in  the  General 
Convention  of  said  church,  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
from  the  29th  day  of  September  to  the  16th  day  of  October, 
1789,  inclusive. 

Canon  I.  Of  the  orders  of  the  Ministers  in  this  church. 

In  this  church  there  shall  always  be  three  orders  in  the  Ministry; 
viz.  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons. 


176 

Cakon  II.  Certificates  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  Bishops  elect. 

Every  Bishop  elect,  before  his  consecration,  shall  produce  to 
the  Bishops,  to  whom  he  is  presented  for  that  holy  office,  from  the 
Convention  by  whom  he  is  elected  a  Bishop,  and  from  the  Gene- 
ral Convention,  or  a  committee  of  that  body,  to  be  appointed  to 
act  in  their  recess,  certificates  respectively,  in  the  following  words, 
viz. 

Testimony  from  the  members  of  the  Convention  in  the  state^  from 
whence  the  person  is  recommended  for  consecration. 

WE,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is,  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to  bear 
testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion,  without  partiality  or  affection, 
do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B.  is  not, 
so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  either  for 
error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life  ;  and  that  we  do  not 
know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime,  for 
which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office.  We  do 
moreover  joindy  and  severally  declare,  that,  havmg  personally 
known  him  for  three  years  last  past,  we  do  *in  our  consciences 
believe  him  to  be  of  such  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  such  sound- 
ness in  the  faith,  and  of  such  virtuous  and  pure  manners,  and 
godly  conversation,  that  he  is  apt  and  meet  to  exercise  the  office 
of  a  Bishop,  to  die  honor  of  God,  and  the  edifying  of  his  church, 
and  to  be  an  wholesome  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ. 

Testimony  from  the  General  Convention. 

WE,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  im- 
portant it  is  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  un- 
worthily conferred,  and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
bear  our  testimony  on  this  solemn  occasion,  without  partiality  or 
affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  testify,  that  A.  B. 
is  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  jusdy  liable  to  evil  report,  either 
for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life ;  and  that  we  do  not 
know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment  or  notable  crime,  on  ac- 
count of  which  he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office, 
but  that  he  hath,  as  we  believe,  led  his  life,  for  three  years  last 
past,  piously,  soberly  and  honestly. 

Canon  III.  Of  Episcopal  visitation. 

Repealed  by  canon  I.  of  1795. 

Canon  IY.  Of  the  age  of  those  ivho  a^e  to  he  ordained  or  conse- 
crated. 

Eepealed  by  canon  III.  of  1795. 


177 

Canon  V.  Of  the  titles  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained, 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  either  Deacon  or  Priest,  unless 
he  shall  produce  a  satisfactory  certificate  from  some  church,  pa- 
rish or  congregation,  that  he  is  engaged  with  them,  and  that 
they  will  receive  him  as  their  minister,  and  allow  him  a  reason- 
able support;  or,  unless  he  be  engaged  as  a  professor,  tutor,  or 
instructor  of  youth,  in  some  college,  academy,  or  general  semi- 
nary of  learning,  duly  incorporated  ;  or  unless  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  the  church  in  the  state,  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained, 
shall  certify  to  the  Bishop  their  full  belief  and  expectation,  that 
he  will  be  received  and  settled  as  a  Pastor,  by  some  one  of  the 
vacant  churches  in  that  state. 

Canon  VI.    The  testimonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those 
who  are  to  be  ordained. 

Repealed  by  canon  2,  of  1795. 

Canon  VII.  Of  the  Learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 

Repealed  by  canon  4,  of  1795. 

Canon  VIII.  Of  the  stated  times  of  Ordination, 

Agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the  prhnitive  church,  the  stated 
times  of  ordination  shall  be  on  the  Sundays  folio >ving  the  Ember 
weeks ;  viz  :  the  second  Sunday  in  Lent,  the  Feast  of  Trinity, 
and  the  Sundays  after  the  Wednesdays  following  the  fourteenth 
day  of  September,  and  the  thirteenth  of  December. 

Canon  IX.    Of  those  whoy  having-  been  ordained  by  foreign  Bi" 

shopSj  settle  in  this  Church. 

No  person,  not  a  member  of  this  church,  who  shall  profess  to 
be  episcopally  ordained,  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  therein, 
until  he  shall  have  exhibited  to  the  vestry  of  the  church  in  which 
he  shall  offer  to  officiate,  a  certificate,  signed  by  the  Bishop  of 
the  diocese  or  district,  or  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  by  three 
clergymen  of  the  standing  committee  of  the  Convention  of  that 
state,  that  his  letters  of  orders  are  auAientic,  and  given  by  some 
Bishop  whose  authority  is  acknowledged  by  this  church,  and  als© 
satisfactory  evidence  of  his  moral  character. 

Canon  X.  Of  the  Use  of  the  B^ok  of  Common  Prayer, 

Every  minister  shall,  before  all  sermons  and  lectures,  use  thjh 
beok  of  common  prayer,  as  the  same  shall  be  set  forth  and  estab- 
lished by  the  authority  of  this,  or  some  future  General  Conven- 
tion ;  and  until  such  establishment  of  an  uniform  book  of  common 
prayer  in  this  church,  every  minister  shall  read  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer  directed  to  be  used  by  the  Convention  of  the  church 

A  SI 


178 

in  the  state  in  which  he  resides :  and  no  other  prayer  shall  be 
used  besides  those  contained  in  the  said  book. 

Canon  XI.    Of  the  duty  of  Ministers^  in  regard  to  Episcopal 

Visitations- 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  ministers  to  prepare  children  and  others, 
for  the  holy  ordinance  of  confirmation.  And  on  notice  being  re- 
ceived from  the  Bishop,  of  his  intention  to  visit  any  church, 
which  notice  shall  be  at  lea'St  one  month  before  the  intended  visit- 
ation, the  minister  shall  be  ready  to  present,  for  confirmation, 
those  who  shall  have  been  previously  instructed  for  the  same ; 
and  shall  deliver  to  the  Bishop  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  pre- 
sented. 

And  at  every  visitation  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  minister,  and 
of  the  church  wardens,  to  give  information  to  the  Bishop  of  the 
state  of  the  congregation ;  under  such  heads,  as  shall  have  been 
committed  to  them  in  the  notice  given  as  aforesaid. 

And  further,  the  ministers  and  church  wardens  of  such  con- 
gregations as  cannot  be  conveniently  visited  in  any  year,  shall 
bring  or  send  to  the  Bishop,  at  the  stated  meeting  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  diocese  or  district,  information  of  the  state  of  the 
congregation,  under  such  heads,  as  shall  have  been  committed  to 
them,  at  least  one  month  betore  the  meeting  of  the  convention. 

Canon  XII.  Notorious  Crimes  and  Scandals  to  be  censured. 

If  any  person  within  this  church  offend  their  brethren  by  any 
vnckedness  of  life,  such  persons  shall  be  x-epelled  from  the  holy 
communion,  agreeably  to  the  rubric,  and  may  be  further  pro- 
ceeded against,  to  the  depriving  them  of  all  privileges  of  church 
membership  ;  according  to  such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  pro- 
vided, either  by  General  Convention,  or  by  the  conventions  in 
the  different  states. 

Canon  XIII.  Sober  CanveHatio?!  required  in  Mi?ifsters. 

No  ecclesiastical  persons  shall,  other  than  for  their  honest  ne- 
cessities, resort  to  taverns,  or  other  places  most  liable  to  be  abus- 
ed to  licentiousn'^ss.  FuTfher,  they  shall  not  give  themselves  to 
any  luist-  or  servile  labour,  or  to  drinking  or  riot,  or  to  the  spend- 
ing of  their  time  idly.  And  if  anv  offend  in  the  above,  they  shall 
be  liable  to  the  ecclesinstical  cen  , are  of  admonition,  or  suspen- 
sion, or  degradation,  as  the  nattire  of  the  case  may  require,  and 
^iccording  to  such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  provided,  either  by 
the  General  Convention,  or  by  the  Conventions  in  the  different 
states. 

Canon  XIV.  Of  the  due  celebration  of  ■Su7idays. 

All  manner  of  persons  within  this  church,  shall  celebrate  and 


179 

lieep  the  Lord's  day,  commonly  called  Sunday,  in  hearing  the 
word  of  God  read  and  taught,  in  private  and  public  prayer,  in 
other  exercises  of  devotion,  and  in  acts  of  charity,  using  all  godly 
conversation. 

Canon  XV.  ^linisters  to  keep  a  Register. 

Every  minister  of  this  church  shall  keep  a  register  of  baptisms, 
marriages,  and  funerals,  within  his  cure,  agreeably  to  such  rules 
as  mry  be  provided  by  the  ecclesiastical  authority  where  his  cure 
lies ;  and  if  none  such  be  provided,  then  in  such  manner,  as,  in 
his  discretion,  he  shall  think  best  suited  to  the  uses  of  such  a 
register. 

And  the  intention  of  the  register  of  baptisms  is  hereby  declared 
to  be,  as  for  other  good  uses,  so  especially  for  the  proving  of  the 
right  of  church  membership  of  those,  who  may  have  been  ad- 
mitted into  this  church  by  the  holy  ordinance  of  baptism. 

And  further,  every  minister  of  this  churcn  shall,  within  a  rea- 
sonable time  after  the  publication  of  this  canon,  make  out  and 
continue  a  list  of  all  adult  persons  within  his  cure  ;  to  remain  for 
the  use  of  his  successor,  to  be  continued  by  him,  and  by  every  fu- 
ture minister  in  the  same  parish. 

And  no  minister  shall  place  on  the  said  list  tlie  names  of  any 
persons,  except  of  those,  who,  on  due  enquiry,  he  shall  find  to 
have  been  baptised  in  this  church;  or  who,  having  been  otherwise 
baptised,  shall  have  been  received  into  this  church,  either  by  the 
holy  rite  of  confirmation,  or  by  receiving  the  holy  communion,  or 
by  some  other  joint  acts  of  the  parties,  and  of  a  minister  of  this 
church  ;  whereby  such  persons  shall  have  attached  themselves  to 
the  same. 

Canon  XVI.    A  Lht  to  be  )nade,  ajid published^  of  the  Ministers 

of  this  Church. 

The  Secretary  of  the  General  Convention  shall  keep  a  register 
of  all  the  clergy  of  this  church,  whose  names  shall  be  delivered 
to  him  in  the  following  manner  ;  that  is  to  say  : — Everv  l»ishop 
of  this  church,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  that  diocese  or  district,  shall,  at  the  time  of  every  Ge- 
neral Convention,  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  delivered  to  the  Secre- 
tary, a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  ministers  of  this  church  in 
their  proper  diocese  or  district,  annexing  the  names  of  their  res- 
pective cures,  or  of  their  stations  in  anv  colleges  or  other  incor- 
porated seminaries  of  learning,  or,  in  regard  to  those  who  have 
not  any  cures  or  such  stations,  their  places  of  residence  only.  And 
the  said  list  shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  published  on  the  Jour- 
nals of  the  General  Convention. 

And  further,  it  is  recommended  to  the  several  Bishops  of  this 
church,  and  to  the  several  standing  committees,  that,  during  the 
intervals  between  the  meetings  of  the  General  Convention,  they 


180 

take  such  means  of  notifying  the  admission  of  ministers  among 
them,  as,  in  their  discretio  ^  respectively,  they  shall  think  effec- 
tual to  the  purpose  of  preventing  ignorant  and  unwary  people 
from  being  imposed  on,  by  persons  pretending  to  be  authorized 
Ministers  of  this  church. 

Canon  XVII.  Notice  to  be  given  of  the  induction  and  dismission 

of  Ministers, 

It  is  hereby  required,  that,  on  the  induction  of  a  Minister 
into  any  church  or  parish,  the  parties  shall  deliver,  or  cause  to  be 
delivered  to  the  Bishop,  or  to  the  standing  committee  of  the  dio- 
cese or  district,  notice  of  the  same  in  the  following  form,  or  to  this 
effect : 

We,  the  Church  wardens  (or  in  case  of  an  assistant  Minister, 
we,  the  Rector  and  Church  wardens)  do  certify  to  the  Right  Rev» 
(naming  the  Bishop)  that  (naming  the  person)  has  been  duly 
chosen  Rector,  (or  assistant  Minister,  as  the  case  may  be)  of 
(naming  the  church  or  churches.) 

Which  certificate  shall  be  signed  with  the  names  of  those  who 
certify. 

And  if  the  Bishop,  or  the  standing  committee,  be  satisfied  that 
the  person  so  chosen  is  a  qualified  Minister  of  this  church,  he 
shall  transmit  the  said  certificate  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Conven- 
tion, who  shall  record  it  in  a  book  to  be  kept  by  him  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

But  if  the  Bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  not  satisfied  as 
above,  he  or  they  shall,  at  the  instance  of  the  parties,  proceed  to 
enquire  into  th"  sufficiency  of  the  person  so  chosen,  according  to 
such  ruhs  as  may  be  made  in  the  states  respectively,  and  shall 
confirm  or  reject  the  appointment,  as  the  issue  of  that  enquiry 
may  be. 

Passed  October  16th,  1789. 

House  of  Bishops y 
SAMUEL  SEABURY,  Bp.  Connect.  Pres. 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  Pennsylvania. 
Attested.     Joseph  Clarkson,  Secretary. 

House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 
Attested,  Francis  Hopkinsoj*,  Secretary. 


ADDITIONAL  CANONS— Passed  1/92. 

I.  Of  Clergymen  claiming  to  be  ministers  of  this  church, 

FOR  a  more  full  accomplishment  of  the  good  purposes  to  be 
answered  by  the  16th  canon,  enacted  by  the  last  General  Conven- 


181 

tion,  it  is  hereby  required,  that  every  Clergyman,  claiming  to  be 
a  Minister  of  this  church,  shall  deliver  in  his  name  to  the  Bishop, 
or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  chairman,  or  some  member  of  the 
standing  committee,  of  the  church  in  the  state  in  which  he  resides, 
on  or  before  Easter  Monday,  1 793 ;  or,  if  he  be  not  within  any  of 
the  states  which  have  acceded  to  the  constitution  of  this  church, 
then  within  three  months  after  he  shall  come  to  reside  in  any  of 
the  said  states.  And  every  Clergyman,  during  his  neglect  of  con- 
formity to  this  canon,  shall  not  be  known  as  a  Clergyman  of  this 
church,  or  be  admitted  to  minister  in  any  office  of  the  same. 

II.  Of  a  Clergyman  in  any  diocese^  chargeable  -with  misdemeanor 

in  any  other* 

If  a  clergyman  of  the  church,  in  any  diocese  or  district  within 
this  union,  shall,  in  any  other  diocese  or  district,  conduct  himself 
in  such  a  way  as  is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  this  church,  and  dis- 
graceful to  his  office ;  the  Bishop,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the 
standing  committee,  shall  give  notice  thereof  to  the  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  the  diocese  or  district  to  which  such  offender  belongs, 
exhibiting,  with  the  information  given,  the  proofs  of  the  charges 
made  against  him. 

III.  Of  publishing  the  sentence  of  degradation  against  a  Clergy- 

man. 
Whenever  a  Clergyman  shall  be  degraded,  agreeably  to  the 
canons  of  any  particular  church  in  the  union,  the  Bishop  who 
pronounces  sentence,  shall,  without  delay,  cause  the  sentence  of 
degradation  to  be  published  from  every  pulpit  where  there  may 
be  an  officiating  minister,  throughout  the  diocese  or  district  in 
which  the  degraded  minister  resided;  and  also  shall  give  inior- 
macion  of  the  sentence  to  all  Bishops  of  this  church ;  and,  where 
there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing  committee. 

IV.  Of  the  declaration  which  may  be  prefixed  to  certain  signa- 

tures. 

In  regard  to  the  first  certificate  required  in  favour  of  a  Bishop 
elect,  by  the  2d  canon  of  the  last  General  Convention,  and  the 
certificate  required  in  favour  of  a  candidate  for  Priest's  or  Dea- 
con's orders,  by  the  6th  canon ;  if  there  be  any  members  of  the 
bodies  respectively  concerned,  who  have  not  the  requisite  personal 
knowledge  of  the  parties,  such  persons  may  prefix  the  following 
declaration  to  their  signatures  : 

WE  believe  the  testimony  contaiyied  in  the  above  Certificate  ;  and 
Tvejoin  in  the  recommendation  of  A..  B.  to  the  office  of on  suf- 
ficient evidence  ojffered  to  us  of  the  facts  set  forth. 

Provided,  That  in  the  case  of  a  Priest  or  Deacon^  two  at  least 
of  the  standing  committee  sign  the  same  ;  as  being  personally  ac" 
quainted  with  the  candidate* 


182 

V.  Of  the  officiating  of  strangers. 

No  siranger  r>hall  be  permitted  to  officiate  in  any  congregation 
of  this  church,  without  first  producing  the  evidences  of  his  being 
a  minister  thereof  to  the  minister,  or,  in  case  of  vacancy  or  ab- 
sence, to  the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  con- 
gregation. And  in  case  any  person  not  regularly  ordained  shall 
assume  the  ministerial  office,  and  perform  any  of  the  duties  there- 
of in  this  church,  the  minister,  or  in  case  of  vacancy  or  absence, 
the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  congregation, 
where  such  offence  may  be  committed,  shall  cause  the  name  of 
such  person,  together  with  the  offence,  to  be  published  in  as  many 
of  the  public  papers  as  may  be  convenient. 

VI.  Repealed  by  canon  Y.  of  1795. 
Of  one  Clergyman  officiating  within  the  parochial  cure  of  another 

Clergyman. 

House  of  Bishops^ 

SAMUEL  PROYOOST,  President. 

Attest.     L.  Cutting,  Secretary. 

House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  President. 
Attest,     J.  Bisset,  Secretary. 


CANONS— Passed  1795. 

Canon.  I.  Of  Episcopal  visitation. 

E\  £RY  Bishop  in  this  church  shall  visit  the  churches  within 
his  diocese  or  district,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  state  of 
his  church,  inspecting  the  behaviour  of  the  Clergy,  and  adminis- 
tering the  Apostolic  rite  of  confirmation.  And  it  is  deemed  pro- 
per, that  such  visitations  be  made  once  in  three  years,  at  least, 
by  every  Bishon  to  every  church  within  his  diocese  or  district, 
which  shall  make  provision  for  defraying  the  necessary  expenses 
©f  the  Bishop  at  such  visitation.  And  it  is  hereby  declared  to  be 
the  duty  of  the  Minister  and  vestry  of  every  church  or  congrega- 
tion, to  make  such  provision  accordingly. 

The  Bishop  of  any  diocese,  state,  or  district,  may,  on  the  invi- 
tation of  the  Convention,  or  standing  committee  of  the  church  in 
-any  state  where  there  is  not  a  Bishop,  visit  and  perform  the 
Episcopal  offices  in  that  state,  or  part  of  the  state,  as  the  case  may 
be,  provision  being  made  for  defraying  his  expenses  as  aforesaid  : 
and  such  state,  or  part  of  a  state  shall  be  considered  as  annexed 
to  the  district  or  diocese  of  such  Bishop,  until  a  Bishop  is  duly 
elected  and  consecrated  for  such  state,  or  until  the  invitation  given 
by  the  convention  or  standing  committee  be  revoked.     But  it  is 


183 

to  be  understood,  that  to  enable  the  Bishop  to  make  the  aforesaid 
visitations,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clergy,  in  such  reasonable 
rotation  as  may  be  devised,  to  officiate  for  him  in  any  parochial 
duties  which  belong  to; him.  And  no  state  shall  proceed  to  the 
election  or  appo!  tmeat  of  a  Bishop,  unless  there  be  at  least  six 
Presbyters  residing  and  officiating  therein,  a  majority  of  whom,  at 
least,  shall  concur  in  such  election.  But  the  Conventions  of  two 
or  more  states,  having  together  nine  or  more  settled  and  officiating 
Presbyters,  may  associate,  and  join  in  the  election  of  a  Bishop. 
The  third  canon  of  the  year  1789  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  II.  Of  the  testimonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those 
xvho  are  to  be  Ordained. 

Every  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  be  recommended  to  the 
Bishop  by  a  standing  committee  appointed  by  the  Convention  of 
the  church  in  that  state  wherein  he  resides,  which  recommenda- 
tion shall  be  signed  by  the  names  of  a  majority  of  the  committee., 
and  shall  be  in  the  following  words  : 

"  We,  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  testify,  that  A.  B= 
"hath  laid  before  us  satisfactory  testimonials,  that  for  the  space 
"  of  three  years  last  past,  he  hath  lived  piously,  soberly,  and  ho- 
*'  nestly  :  and  hath  not  v.'ritten,  taught,  or  held  any  thing  contrary 
"to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church; 
"  and  moreover  we  think  him  a  person  worthy  to  be  admitted  to 

"the  sacred  order  of .    In  witness  whereof  we  have  here- 

"  unto  set  our  hands  this  — day  of in  the  year  of 

"  our  Lord  — ^." 

But  before  a, standing  committee  in  any  state  shall  proceed  to 
recommend  any  candidate,  as  aforesaid,  to  the  Bishop,  such  can- 
didate shall  produce  from  the  Minister  and  vestry  of  the  parish 
where  he  resides,  or  from  the  vestry  albne,  if  the  parish  be  vacant, 
or  it  there  be  no  vestry,  from  at  least  twelve  respectable  persons 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  neighbourhood  in  which 
he  resides,  testimonials  of  his  good  morals  and  orderly  conduct 
for  three  years'  last  past,  and  that  he  has  not,  so  far  as  they  know 
and  believe,  written,  taught  or  held  any  thing  contrary  to  the  doc- 
trine or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church ;  a  publica- 
tion of  his  intention  to  apply  for  holy  orders  having  been  previous  - 
ly  made  by  such  minister  or  vestry.  He  shall  also  lay  before  die 
standing  committee,  testimonials  to  the  same  eifect,  signed  by  at 
least  one  respectable  Clergyman  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churcli 
in  the  United  States,  from  his  personal  knowledge  of  the  candidate 
for  at  least  one  year. 

In  every  state  in  which  there  is  no  standing  committee,  such 
committee  shall  be  appointed  at  its  next  ensuing  Convention  ,•  and 
in  the  mean  time,  every  candidirte  for  holy  orders  shall  be  re- 
commended according  to  the  regulations  or  usage  of  the  church  in 
each  state,  and  the  requisitions  of  the  Bishop  to  %yliom  he  applies. 


184 

The  6th  canon,  passed  in  October,  If 89,  concerning  the  "  tes- 
"  timonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  those  who  are  to  be  or- 
"  dained,"  and  so  much  of  the  4th  canon,  passed  in  1792,  as  re- 
lates to  the  subject  of  this  canon,  are  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  III.     Of  the  age  of  those  who  are  to  he  ordained  or  cori' 

secrated* 

Deacon's  orders  shall  not  be  conferred  on  any  person  until  he 
shall  be  twenty-one  years  old,  nor  Priest's  orders  on  any  one  un- 
til he  shall  be  twenty-four  years  old,  and  unless  he  shall  have 
been  a  Deacon  one  year.  No  man  shall  be  consecrated  a  Bishop 
of  this  church  until  he  shall  be  thirty  years  old. 

The  fourth  canon  of  the  year  1789  is  hereby  rescinded. 

Canon  IV.  Of  the  Learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained. 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church,  until  he  shall  have 
satisfied  the  Bishop  and  the  two  Presbyters,  by  whom  he  shall 
be  examined,  that  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  holy  scriptures, 
can  read  the  New  Testament  in  the  original  Greek,  and  give  an 
account  of  his  faith  in  the  Latin  tongue  ;  and  that  he  hath  a  com- 
petent knowledge  of  natural  and  moral  philosophy  and  church 
history,  and  hath  paid  attention  to  composition  and  pulpit  elo- 
quence, as  means  of  giving  additional  efficacy  to  his  labours; 
[unless  the  Bishop  shall  judge  it  proper  to  dispense  with  the  above 
requisites  in  part,  in  consideration  of  certain  other  qualifications 
in  the  candidate  peculiarly  fitting  him  for  the  gospel  ministry.] 

The  7th  canon  of  the  year  1789,  is  hereby  rescinded, 

N.  B.  The  last  clause  of  this  canon  marked  thus  [  ]  was  repeal- 
ed by  the  '^th  canon  of  1799. 

Canon  V.  Of  the  officiating  of  Ministers  of  this  Church  in  the 
Churches^  or  xuithin  the  Parochial  Cures  of  other  Clergymen, 

No  clergyman  belonging  to  this  church  shall  officiate,  either 
by  preaching  or  reading  prayers,  in  the  parish  or  within  the  paro- 
chial cure  of  another  clergyman,  unless  he  have  received  express 
permission  for  that  purpose  from  the  minister  of  the  parish  or 
cure,  or,  in  his  absence,  from  the  church  wardens  and  vestry- 
men, or  trustees  of  the  congregation.  But  if  any  minister  of  a 
church  shall,  from  inability,  or  any  other  cause,  neglect  to  per- 
form the  regular  services  to  his  congregation,  and  shall  refuse 
his  consent  to  any  other  minister  of  this  church  to  officiate  within 
his  cure,  the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  such 
congregation,  shall,  on  proof  of  such  neglect  and  refusal  before  the 
Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  before  the 
standing  committee,  or  before  such  persons  as  may  be  deputed 
by  him,  or  them,  or  before  such  persons  as  may  be,  by  the  re- 
gulations of  this  church  in  any  state,  vested  with  the  power  of 


185 

hearing  and  deciding  on  complaints  against  clergynien,  have  power 
Xo  open  the  doors  of  their  churches  to  any  regular  nainister  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

The  6th  canon  of  1792,  is  hereby  recinded. 

Canon  VI.  Of  the  preparatory  exercises  of  a  Candidate  for  the 

Ministry, 

Every  candidate  for  the  ministry  shall  give  notice  of  his  inten- 
tion to  the  Bishop,  or  to  such  body  as  the  church  in  the  state  in 
which  the  candidate  resides  may  have  appointed  to  superintend 
the  instruction  of  candidates  for  holy  orders,  at  least  one  year 
before  his  ordination.  And  if  there  be  a  Bishop  within  the  state 
or  district  where  the  candidate  resides,  he  shall  apply  to  no  other 
Bishop  for  ordination,  without  the  permission  of  the  former.  And 
the  said  candidate  shall  pass  through  the  preparatory  exercises 
which  the  Bishop,  or  such  body  aforesaid,  may  appoint ;  such 
as  composing  of  theses,  homilies,  or  sermons,  one  or  more,  to  be 
delivered,  either  publicly  or  privately,  in  his  or  their  presence, 
at  such  time  or  times  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  authority  afore- 
said. 

And  this  canon  shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  the  first  day  of 
January  next. 

Canon  VII.  For  the  better  accomplishing  of  the  objects  of  the  6th 
Canon  of  1 792. 

Whereas  there  is  no  provisien  made  in  the  "  6th  canon  of 
1792,"  for  the  case  of  such  a  vicinity  of  two  or  more  churches,  as 
that  there  can  be  no  local  boundaries  drawn  between  their  res- 
pective cures,  it  is  hereby  ordained,  that  in  every  such  case,  no 
minister  of  this  church,  other  than  the  parochial  clergy  of  the  said 
cures,  shall  preach  within  the  common  limits  of  the  same,  in  any 
other  place  than  in  one  of  the  churches  thereof,  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  major  number  of  the  parochial  clergy  of  the  said 
churches. 

Canon  VIII.   To  prevejit  a  Congregation  in  any  Diocese  or  State, 
to  unite  zvith  a  Church  in  any  other  Diocese  or  State. 

Whereas  a  question  may  arise,  whether  a  congregation  within 
the  diocese  of  any  Bishop,  or  within  any  state  in  which  there  is 
not  yet  any  Bishop  settled,  may  unite  themselves  with  the  church 
in  any  other  diocese  or  state  ;  it  is  hereby  determined  and  declar» 
ed,  that  all  such  unions  shall  be  considered  as  irregular  and  void; 
and  that  every  congregation  of  this  church  shall  be  considered  as 
belonging  to  the  body  of  the  church  of  the  diocese,  or  of  the  state, 
within  the  limits  of  which  they  dwell ;  or  within  which  there  is 
seated  a  church  to  which  they  belong.  And  no  clergyman  having 
a  parish  or  cure  in  more  than  one  state,  shall  have  a  seat  in  the 
Convention  of  any  state,  other  than  that  in  which  he  resides, 

Bb 


186 

Cakon  IX.  To  empotver  the  Bishop  in  each  Diocese  or  District 
to  compose  forms  of  Prayer  or  Thanksgiving  for  extraordinary 
occasions,     • 

The  Bishop  of  each  diocese  or  district  may  compose  forms  of 
prayer  or  thanksgiving,  as  the  case  may  require,  for  extraordi- 
nary occasions,  and  transmit  them  to  each  clergyman  within  his 
diocese  or  district,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  use  such  forms  in 
his  church  on  such  occasions.  And  the  clergy  in  those  states  in 
which  there  is  no  Bishop,  may  use  the  form  of  prayer  or  thanks- 
giving composed  by  the  Bishop  of  any  other  state. 

Dona  in  Convention,  and  signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D  presiding  Bishop. 
WILLIAM  SMITH,  D.  D.  President  of  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 


CANONS— Passed  1799. 

Canon  I.  Of  the  mode  of  calling  Special  Meetings  of  the  General 

Convention. 

THE  right  of  calling  special  meetings  of  the  Geneiral  Con- 
vention, shall  be  in  the  Bishops  ;  this  right  shall  be  exercised  by 
the  presiding  Bishop,  or,  in  the  case  of  his  death,  by  the  Bishop, 
who,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  is  to  pre- 
side at  the  next  General  Convention  ;  provided,  that  the  sum- 
mons shall  be  with  the  consent,  or  on  the  requisition  of  a  majo- 
rity of  the  Bishops,  expressed  to  him  in  writing. 

The  place  of  holding  any  special  Convention,  shall  be  that  fixed 
on  by  the  preceding  General  Convention,  for  the  meeting  of  the 
next  General  Convention,  unless  circumstances  to  be  judged  of 
by  the  Bishops,  shall  render  a  meeting  at  such  place  unsafe ;  in 
which  case,  the  Bishops  shall  appoint  some  other  place. 

Canon  II.    Of  the  consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  recess  of  th* 
General  Convention. 

If,  during  the  recess  of  the  General  Convention,  the  church  in 
any  state  should  be  desirous  of  the  consecration  of  a  Bishop,  the 
standing  committee  of  the  church  in  such  state,  may,  by  their 
president,  or  by  some  other  person  or  persons,  specially  appoint- 
ed, communicate  the  desire  to  the  standing  committees  of  the 
churches  in  the  different  states,  together  with  copies  of  the  ne- 
cessary testimonials :  and  if  the  major  number  of  the  standing 
committees  shall  consent  to  the  proposed  consecration,  the  stand- 
ing committee  of  the  state  concerned,  may  communicate  the  evi- 
dences of  such  consent,  together  with  the  other  testimonials,  to 


187 

any  three  Bishops  of  this  church,  who  may  thereon  proceed  to 
the  consecration.  The  evidences  of  the  consent  of  the  different 
standing  committees  shall  be  in  the  form  prescribed  for  the  Ge- 
neral Convention  in  the  "2d  canon  of  1789:"  and  without  the 
aforesaid  requisites,  no  consecration  shall  take  place,  during  the 
recess  of  the  General  Convention. 

Canon  III.  Explanatory  of  part  of  the  "  1st  canon  of  1795.'' 

No  clergyman  employed  by  the  year,  or  for  any  limited  time, 
shall  be  considered  as  a  regularly  officiating  and  resident  Minister 
of  the  church  in  any  state,  for  the  purpose  expressed  in  the  two 
concluding  sentences  of  the  "  1st  canon  of  1795,"  entitled  "a  ca- 
"  non  concerning  Episcopal  visitation." 

Canon  IV.  Repealing  in  part  the  '■'■Wth  canon  o/1795,"  con- 
cerning the  "  Learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained'' 
Whereas,  by  the  "  Canon  of  1 795,"  entitled  "  Of  the  learning  of 
"  those  who  are  to  be  ordained  ;"  a  power  is  vested  in  the  Bishops 
of  dispensing  with  certain  enumerated  requisites  in  part,  which 
power  is  not  only  too  indefinitely  expressed,  but  may  be  abused, 
so  much  therefore  of  the  said  canon,  as  authorises  Bishops  to  dis- 
pense with  any  of  the  qualifications  required  in  candidates  for 
holy  orders,  is  hereby  repealed. 

By  order  oj  the  House  of  Bishops, 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
By  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  D.  D.  President. 


A  PRAYER 

To  be  used  at  the  meetings  of  the  Convention. 

"  ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who,  by  thy  holy  spirit, 
"didst  preside  in  the  council  of  the  blessed  Aposdes,  and  hast 
"promised,  through  thy  son  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  with  thy  church 
**  to  the  end  of  the  world ;  we  beseech  thee  to  be  present  with  the 
"  council  of  thy  church  here  assembled  in  thy  name  and  presence. 
"  Save  them  from  all  error,  ignorance,  pride,  and  prejudice ;  and 
"  of  thy  great  mercy  vouchsafe  we  beseech  thee,  so  to  direct, 
"  sanctify, -and  govern  us  in  our  present  work,  by  the  mighty 
"  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  the  comfortable  gospel  of  Christ 
"  may  be  truly  preached,  truly  received,  and  truly  followed,  in  all 
"  places,  to  the  breaking  down  the  kingdom  of  sin,  satan,  and 
"death-,  till  at  length  the  whole  of  thy  dispersed  sheep,  being 
"  gathered  into  one  fold,  shall  become  partakers  of  everlasting  life 
^  through  the  merits  and  death  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.  Amen. 


188 

LiH  pf  the  Clergy  of  the  Pmtestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in  the  dif- 
ferent States,  1799. 


CLERGY. 

JVt'w  Hampshire. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Wilhird,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Portsmouth. 

Robert  H.  Fowie,  Rector  of  

church,  Haldernesse. 
'   '  Daniel  Barber,  Rector  of        '   ' 
church,  Clairmont. 
jyiassachusetts. 
Irhe  Right   Rev.  Edward  Bass,  D.  D. 

Bishop 
The  Rev.  W.  W.  Wheeler,  Rector  of 
- —  church,  Scituate. 

■ William  Walter,  D  D.  ReCtor  of 

Christ  church,  Boston 

Samuel  Parker,  U.  D.  Rector  of 

Ti'inity  church,  Boston. 

. John  Sylvester  J.  Gardner,  assistant 

Minister  of  Trinity  church,  Bos- 
ton. 
-~—  Nathaniel  Fisher,  Rector  of  — — 

cliurch,  Salem. 
William  I  [arris.  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Maj-blehead. 

Wm.  Montag-ue,  Rector  of 

church,  Deedham. 

■  ■        Dunicl  Bui'hans,  Uectorof — - 

church,  Lanesborough 

=——  • Bradlee,  Rector  of  — — — 

church,  Barrington. 
— —  James  Boweis,  Deacon,  Pittston. 

Rhode  Island. 
The  Rev.  Abraham  Lynsen  Clarke,  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Jolm's  church.  Provi- 
dence. 
— ~  John  Usher,  Rector  of  St.  .Michael's 

church,  Bristol.  ^.. 

— —   Joseph    Warren,    Rector    of   St. 
Paul's  church,  isiorth  King&town. 
— —  Theodore  Dehon,  Dcucon,  Hector 
of  Trinit}  church,  Newport. 
Cormecticut. 
The  Right  Rev.  Abraham  Jai-vis,  D.  D. 

U.  D.  Bishop. 
The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Leaoiing,  residing  at 

New  Haven. 
— -  John  Bowden,  D.  D.  Principal  of  tlie 

Episcopal  acadeniy  at  Chesliire. 
«— •  Kichaid  Mansheld,  \).  D.  l?ector  of 
Christ's  church,  at  Derby,  and  of 
the  churches  of  Oxford  and  Great 
Hill. 
=- —  Bela  Hubbard,  Trinity  church.  New 
Haven,  and  Christ's  church.  West 
Haven. 
«— -  John  Tyler,  Christ  church,  Nor- 
wich. 
— .  I     Daniel  Fogg,  Rector  of  - 

church,  Pomphret. 
-r-^  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  church,  Norwalk. 


The  Rev,  Philo  Sheltoh,  Rector  of  Trinity 
church,  Strattield,  St.  John's, 
Fairfield,  and  a  church  in  Weston. 

Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Christ^s 

church,  Sttatford,  and  Trinity 
chui-ch,  Trumbul. 

■'-^—  Ghauncey  Prindle,  Rector'  of 
Christ's  church,  Watertown,  and 
St.  Peter's,  Plymouth. 

— —  Reuben  Jors,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Cheshire,  and  the 
churches  at  Hamden,  and  South- 
ington. 
■  Tiliotson  Brownson,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's  church  at  Waterbury, 
and  of  the  churches  at  Salem. 

Truman    Marsh,    Rector   of  St. 

John's  chlirch.  New  Millbrd,  and 
the  cliurches  of  Roxburj',  and 
New  Preston. 

Ambrose  Todd,  Rector  of  St.  An- 
drew's church,  Symsbury,  and; 
St.  Peter's  church,  Granby. 

— —  Solomon  Blakesley,  Rector  of  St. 
Stephen's  church,  in  East  Had- 
dam. 

Setli   Hart,  Rector  of  St.  Paul'* 

church,  Wallingsford,  and  a 
church  in  Tierlin. 

— —  Charles  Seabury,  Rector  of  St. 
James's  church.  New  London. 

— —  Smith  Miles,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es at  Chatham,  and  middle  Had- 
dam. 

David  Butler,  Rector  of  Christ's 

churcl),  Reading,  and  the  church 

at  Ridgfield. 
Alexander  V.  Griswold,  Rector  of 

St.  Matthew's  church,  Bristol,  St. 

Mark's,  Harwington,  and  a  church 

in  Northfield. 
•    Wilham    Green,    Rector   of    St. 

John's  church,  Seabi-ook. 
— —  Calvin  White,  Deacon,  St.  John's 

church,  Stanford,  and  a  church 

at  Horseneck. 
— —  Evan  Rogers,  Deacon,  tlie  churches 

of  Hebron,  and  Pompliret. 
Bethel  J  udd.  Deacon. 

JVety  York. 

The  Right  Rev.  Sanmel  Provoost,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  As- 
sistant Minister  of  Trinity  churchj 
New  York. 

— —  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Assistant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New 
York. 

— —  John  Bisset,  assistant  Minister  of 
Trinity  chiirch.  New  York. 


189 


The  Rev.  Thomas   EUison,  Rector  of 

St.  Peter's  church,  Albany. 
— —   Ammi   Rog«rs,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  BattstoNvn,  St.  James's,  Milton, 
St.    John's,    Stillwater   and    Trinity 
Church,  Waterfbrd. 

Robert  G.  Wetmore,  Rector  of  St. 

George's    church,    Schenectady,  Mid 
Christ  church,  Duanesborough- 

. John  Urquhart,  Rector  of  St.  Jolin's 

church,  Johnstown,  and church. 

Fort  Hunter. 

Richard  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St. 

Andrew's  church,  Staten  Island. 

Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Philipsbuigh. 

—I Theodosius  Bartow,  Rector  of  Tri. 

nity  church,  New  Rochelle. 
— — Elijah  D.  Rattoone,  Rector  ef  Grace 
chui-ch,  Jamaica,  and   St.    George's 
Flushing. 

John  Ireland,  Rector  of  St.  Ann's 

church,  Brooklyn. 
.         Frederick  ^  an  Home,    Rector  of 
St.  Andrew's  church,  Ulster  county. 

. Amos  Pardee,   Rector  of  -^    '■— 

church,  Hampton. 

Philander  Chase,  Missionary  of  the 

Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the 
state  of  New  York. 

Samuel  Nesbit,  resident  Minister 

in  New  York. 

John   J.   Sands,    Minister  of  the 

churches  in  Islop  and  Brookhaven. 

Samuel  Haskill,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,  in  Rye. 

Henry    Van  Dyke,    Rector  of  St. 

James's  church,  Newtown. 

Daniel  Nash,  minister  of  the  church- 
es in  Otsego. 

JVew  Jersey. 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D. 
Rector  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Burling- 
ton. 

Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church,  Newark. 

Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 

chad's  church,  Trenton. 
The  Rev.  JohnCroes,  Hector  of  Trinity 

church,  Swedesborough. 
— —  Menzies    Rayner,    Rector    of  St. 

John's  church,  Elizabethtown. 
Andrew  Fowler,  Hector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Spotswood. 
John  Henry    Hobart,    Deacon    of 

Christ  Church,  New  Brunswick. 
Pe?insylvania. 
The  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 

Bishop. 
The  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 
Samuel  Magaw,  U.  D.   Rector  of 

St.  Paul's  church,  l*liiladelphia. 
■^         John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Vice  Provost 

of  the  Univensivy  of  Pennsylvania. 


-^-^  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  AssisUnt 
Minister  of  Christ  church  artd  St.  Pe- 
ter's, in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

— ^^  John  Campbell,  Rector  of  the 
Episcopal  churches  of  York  and  Hun- 
tingdon. 

--lator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 

Radnor ;  St.   Peter's  in  tlie  Valley ; 
and  St.  James's,  Perkiomen. 

.  '  •  Joseph  Clarkson,  Rector  of  St. 
James's,  Lancaster,  and  of  Pequca 
and  Carnarvon,  Lancaster  county. 

Robert  AjTes,  Rector  of  Emanuel 

church,   and   St.  Peter's   church,    in 
Washington  and  Fayette  counties. 

Francis  Reno,  Westmoreland  coun- 

ty- 

—  Joseph  Turner,  Rector  of  St 
Paul's  church,  Chester,  and  St.  Mar- 
tin's church,  Marcus  Hook. 

—  Caleb  Hopkins,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  iDerry  township,  and  Christ 
church,  Turbut  township,  Northum- 
berland county. 

— —  Thomas  Davis,  Washington  coun- 
ty- 

James  Abercrombie,  Assistant  Mi- 
nister of  Christ  church  and  St.  Pe- 
ter's, in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

— -  Absalom  Jones  (a  black  man,) 
Deacon  in  the  African  cliurch  of  St. 
Thomas's,  Philadelphia. 

Delaware. 
The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Emanuel  church. 

New  Castle. 
— -^  Walter  C.  Gardiner  Christ  church, 

Dover. 
William  Pryce,  Christ  church,  Kent 

county. 
James  Wiltbank,  St.  Peters  church, 

Sussex. 

jyTaryland. 
The  Right  Rev.   Thomas   J.  Claggett, 

D.  D.  Bishop. 
The  Rev.  Charles  Sm cot,  Rector  of  Wfl- 

liam  and  Mary  Pa-'-ish,  St.  Mary's. 

-  Henry  Lyon  Davis,  St.  Mary's. 

John    Weenis,     Port    Tobacco, 

Charles. 

Mr.  — — ,  William    and  Mar)', 

Charles. 

Hatch  Dent,  Trinity,  Charles. 

Edward  Gant,  jun.  Christ  church, 

Calvert. 

Nicholas  W.  Lane,  All  Saints,  Cal- 
vert 

Francis  Walker,  residing  in  Cal- 
vert. 

*Gcorge  Ralph,   Rector  of  Queen 

Anne's  parish,  Prince  George's  county. 

John  Me-singer,  St  John's,  Prince 

George's  county. 


190 


The  Rev.  Andrew  M'Cormick,  Wash- 
ington, Prince  George's  county. 

Clement  Brook,  residing  in  Prince 

George's  county. 

. Walter   D.  Addison,   residing  in 

Prince  George's  county. 

John  W.  Compton,    St.   James's, 

Anne  Arundel, 

^  Ralph   Higinbothom,    St-   Anne's, 

Anne  Arundel. 

Owen  F.  Magrath,  residing  in  An- 
ne Arundel. 

Henry  Moscrop,  residing  in  Anne 

Arundel. 

*Thomas  Read,  Prince  George's, 

Montgomery. 

— — r  WiUiam  Swan,  St.  Peter's,  Mont- 
gomery. 

——  Edward  Gant,  residing  in  Montgo- 
mery. 

George  Bower,  All  Saints,  Frederic 

county. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  and  John  Ire- 
land, associate  Rectors  of  St.  Paul's, 
Baltimore. 

— —  John  Coleman,  St  Thomas',  Balti- 
more. 

John  Allen,  St.  George's,  Hart- 
ford. 

. Jeremiah  Cosden,    St.   Stephen's, 

Cecil. 

George  Dashlell,  Shrewsbury. 

Archibald  Walker,  D.  D.  Chester, 

Kent. 

Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  residing  in 

Kent 

— —  William  Duke,  residing  in  Kent. 

Samuel   Keene,  D.  D.    St.  Luke's, 

Queen  Anne's. 

*Ellsha  Rigg,    St.  Paul's,   Queen 

Anne's. 

Joseph  Jackson,  St.  Peter's,  Tal- 
bot. 

John  Bowie,  D.D.    St.  Michaels, 

Talbot. 

. •James  Kemp,   Great   Choptank, 

Dorchester. 

Joshua  Reece.  Stepney,  Somerset. 

. Thomas  Scott,  Somerset,  Somer- 
set. 

*Isaac  Foster,  Coventry,  Somerset. 

,— ■  Samuel  Sloan,  residing  in  Somer- 
set. 

, *David  Ball,    All  Hallows,  Wor- 

cester. 

t Samuel  Tingley,  Worcester,  Wor- 
cester. 

Virginia. 

The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D.D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Charles  O'Neil,  Rector  of  Am- 
herst parish. 


Alexander  Hay,  Antrim. 

——  Devereux  Jarratt,  Bath. 

— —  Gray  Bottetourt. 

Hugh  Corran  Boggs,  Berkeley. 

Benjamin  Brown,  Blisland. 

Andrew  Syme,  Bristol. 

John  Cameron,  Rector  of — . 

Alexander  M'Farland,  Brunswrick. 

Henry  Spjering, 

John  Bracken,  D.  D.  Bruton. 

John  Camm,  Charles. 

HefFemen,  Christ  church. 

James  Elliott,  Cople. 

Needier  Robinson,  Dale. 

Spence  Grayson,  Dettingen. 

Jesse  Garter,  Drysdale. 

Darnel  M'Naughton,  Christ  Church. 

John  I.  Spooner,  Elizabeth  city. 

James  Whitehead,  EUzabeth  river. 

Thomas  Davis,  Fairfax. 

• Alexander  Balmain,  Frederick. 

John  V.  Weylie,  Lecturer,  Frede- 
rick. 

Matthew  Maury,  Fredericksville. 

James  Craig,  Hamilton. 

John  Buchanan,  D.  D.  Henrico. 

Samuel  S,  M'Croskey,  D.D.Hun- 
gars. 

John  Thompson,  Leeds. 

Charles  Crawford,  Lexington. 

William  Crawford,  — . 

James  Dickinson,  Littleton. 

Young,  Lunenburg. 

Anthony  Walke,  Lynhaven. 

John  Dunn,  Manchester. 

William  Hubard,  Newport. 

Jacob  Keeling,  Nunseniond. 

Robert  Buchan,  Overwharton. 

Arthur  Emerson,  Portsmouth. 

John  Brun skill,   Raleigh. 

Alexander  Lundie,  St.  Andrew's. 

John  Matthews,  St.  Bride's. 

Reuben  Clopton, 

Cave  Jones,  St.  George's. 

James  Stevenson,  St.  George's. 

Charles  Hopkins,    St.  James   Nor- 

tham. 

James  Price,  St.  John's. 

Thomas  Hughes,  St.  Darid. 

Archibald  Dick,  St.  Margaret's. 

John  Woodville,  St.  Mark's. 

Abner  Waugh,  St.  Mai7's. 

William  Stewart,  St.  Paul's. 

John  Parsons. 

John  Seward,  St.  Stephen's. 

John  Hyde  Saunders,  Southam, 

Samuel  Buder,  Southwark. 

Samuel  Chapin,  Westover. 

James  Evans,  Yorkhampton. 

John  O'Donnel,  Hampshhe. 

Lee  iMassey,  I'riu-o. 

Armistead  Smith,  Matthews. 


*  JMembers  of  the  standing  committee  this  year. 


191 


The    Rev.    John    C     Brockenboroug, 

Washington. 

Duncan  M'Naughton,  Wicomico. 

■     —  Joseph  Wilson, 

Stephen  Thomson, 

John  AVade, 

Cornelius  Carvert, 

cures  not  known. 

South  Carolina. 
The  Right  Rev.  Robert  Smith,    D.  D, 

Bishop. 
The  Kev.  Thomas  Frost,  St.  Philip's. 
Henry  Purcell,  D.  D.  St.  Michael's, 

Charleston. 
Edward  Jenkins,    St    Michael's, 

Charleston. 
— ■■ —   Milwood     Pogson,     St.    James', 

Goose  creek,  St.  George's,   Dorches- 
ter. 
Peter  M.  Parker,  St  John's,  Berk- 

ley. 


John  Thompson,  St.  Thomas's. 

Thomas  Mills,  St.  Andrews,  James' 

Island,  St.  Andrew's,  Main.        , 
— —  Edmund    Matthews,    St.   John's, 

Edisto. 
Mr. Nixon,  St.  Bartholomew's. 

Thomas    D.   Bladen,   St.  James', 

Santee. 

— —  James  Connor,  St.  Stephen's. 

George  H.  Spierin.  Prince  George's. 

John  O'Donnel,  All  Saints. 

Frazier,  Prince  Frederick's. 

Residents  in  the  state,  without  cures. 

Dr.  Gates, 

Mr.  Cotton,  teacher  in  Charleston 

college. 

Mr.  M«Culley,  Master  of  an  Aca- 
demy, Bea\ifort. 

Mr.  BlackwaU. 

Mr.  Best,  Master  of  an  Academy, 

Charleston. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OP   THE 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN    THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


Uf  A 


(§(^mwmmsmm 


9 


HEIiD    IN 


The  City  ot  Trenton,  in  New  Jersey,  from  Tuesday,  September 
8,  to  Saturday,  September  12,  1801. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 


HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES* 


From  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  D.  D. 
Rev.  William  Harris. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut* 

Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin, 
Rev.  Philo  Shelton, 
Rev.  Evan  Rogers, 
James  Clark,  Esquire. 

Frotn  the  State  of  Nezv  Tork, 

Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins, 
Rev.  John  Ireland, 
Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart, 
John  Read,  Esquire, 
AVilliam  Ogden,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  New  Jersey* 

Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D. 

Colonel  Samuel  Ogden, 

Matthias  Williamson,  jun.  Esquire, 

John  Dennis,  Esquire. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 

From  the  State  of  Delaware, 

Rev.  Robert  Clay, 
Rev.  William  Pryce, 
Joseph  Burn,  Esquire, 

From  the  State  of  Maryland. 

Rev.  James  Kemp, 
Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend, 
Rev.  John  Coleman, 
Rev.  George  Dashiell, 
David  Kerr,  Esquire. 
William  Helmsley,  Esquirc« 


JOURNAL 


OF    THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 

Trenton,  State  or  New  Jersey. 

St.  Jylkhaers  Church,  Sept.  8,  1801. 
A  SUFFICIENT  number  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to 
form  a  quorum  not  appearing,  the  members  present  adjourned  to 
meet  at  the  church  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  6"^/?;.  9,  1801. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ireland  read  prayers. 

The  members  then  adjourned  to  the  State  House,  when  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to  form  a  house 
appearing,  and  a  quorum  being  formed,  the  house  proceeded  to 
the  appointment,  by  ballot,  of  a  President,  and  a  majority  of  votes 
was  found  for  the  Rev-  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  'l1ie  Rev.  Ash- 
bel  Baldwin  was  appointed  Secretary  and  Chaplain  to  the  Con- 
vention. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  and  William  Ogden,  Esq. 
inform  the  House  of  Bishops  that  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  is  formed  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

Resolved,  That  the  rules  of  order  established  by  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  three  preceding  Conventions  be 
adopted  by  this  house. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Pi.rker,  D.  D.  and  the  Rev.  William  Harris, 
Clerical  Deputies  from  Massachusetts ;  the  Rev.  Ashl^el  Baldwin, 
Rev.  Philo  Shelton,  and  Rev.  Evan  Rogers,  Clerical  Deputies, 
and  James  Clarke,  Esq.  Lay  Deputy,  from  Connecticut  j  the  Rev. 
Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  Rev.  John  Ireland, 
and  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart,  Clerical  Deputies,  and  John  Read 
and  William  Ogden,  Esqrs.  Lay  Deputies,  from  New  York;  the 
Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Clerical  Deputy,  and  Col.  Saaiuel  Og- 
den and  .John  Dennis,  Esq.  Lay  Deputies,  from  New  Jersey  ;  the 
Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.  and  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 
Clerical  Deputies  from  Pennsylvania  ;  the  Rev.  James  Keinp, 
Clerical  Deputy,  and  David  Kerr,  Esq.  Lay  Deput)-,  from  Ma- 
ryland, delivered  in,  at  the  Secretary's  table,  certificates  of  their 
appointment,  which  were  read,  and  determined  to  be  satisfactory. 

Dr.  Parker  proposed  the  following  resolution,  wliich  v/as  adopt- 
ed, viz.  That,  during  the  session  of  the  present  Convention,  they 
shall  meet  each  day  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  and  adjourn  at  1  o'clock, 
P.  M.  and  meet  again  at  4  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Dr.  Parker  was  requested  by  this  house  to  give  information  to 
ihe  House  of  Bishops  of  the  foregoing  resolution,  who  reported 
that  thev  acceded  to  the  saine. 


195 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  presented  the  testimonial  required  by  the 
canons,  from  the  state  ('onvcntion  of  New  York,  in  favour  of  the 
Rev.  Benjamin  3Ioore,  D.  1^  the  Bishop  elect  of  that  state. 

On  motion,  the  following  message  was  sent  by  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Ilobart  to  the  House  of  Bishops  :  "  The  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  wish  to  know  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  whether 
they  have  received  any  communication  from  Bishop  Provoost,  on 
the  subject  of  his  resignation  of  his  Episcopal  jurisdiction  in  the 
state  of  New  York.'* 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  on 
the  subject  of  the  foregoing  message  from  this  house. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  sign  the  testimonial  required  by 
the  canons  in  favour  of  the  Rev-  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Bishop 
elect  of  the  state  of  New  York  ;  which,  together  with  the  testimo- 
nial from  the  state  Convention  of  New  York,  was  ordered  to  be 
presented  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  house  then  adjourned  until  4  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  4  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  house  met. 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.  a  Clerical  Deputy  from 
the  state  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Rev  Joseph  G.  J.  Btnd,  a  Cle- 
rical Deputy  from  the  state  of  Maryland,  presented  their  testimo- 
nials, which  were  approved,  and  they  took  their  seats  accordingly. 

Resolved^  That  the  proceedings  of  this  house  shall  be  read  at  the 
opening  of  the  house  every  morning. 

The  question  being  called  for  upon  the  alteration  of  the  first 
article  of  the  constitution,  as  proposed  by  the  last  General  Con- 
vention ;  and  the  votes  being  taken  by  states,  it  was  negaiived. 

The  house  then  adjourned  until  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday  Morning,  Sept.  10. 

The  house  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  the  Chaplain 
read  prayers. 

'Matthias  Williamson,  jun.  Esq.  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of 
New  Jersey ;  the  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  and  the  Rev.  William  Price, 
Clerical  Deputies,  and  Joseph  Burn,  Esq.  Lay  Deputy  from  the 
state  of  Delaware  ;  the  Rev,  John  Coleman,  and  Rev.  George 
Dashiell,  Clerical  Deputies,  and  William  Helmsley,  Esq.  a  Lay 
Deputy  from  the  state  of  Maryland,  presented  their  testimonials, 
which  were  read  and  approved,  and  they  took  their  seats  accord- 
ingly. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house  that  they  had  read  and  approved  the  testimonials  in  fa- 
vour ©f  the  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin  Moore,  Bishop  elect  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  and  had  appointed  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock, 
for  his  consecration. 

On  motion,  Rtsohcd^  That  the  Rev.  IMr.  Bend  inform  the 
House  of  Bishops,  t!ut  this  House  will  attend  the  consecration  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  3Ioore  at  the  apnointed  time. 


196 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  "Wharton,  Resolved^  That  the  fol- 
lowing addition  be  made  to  the  4th  canon  of  1799;  viz.  "unless 
when  such  candidate  come  recommended  by  the  General  Con- 
vention." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Wharton  was  requested  to  carry  the  foregoing 
resolution  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

The  following  resolution  was  moved  by  Mr.  Kerr  : 

Whereas  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  of  the  Ge- 
neral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  held  at 
Philadelphia  in  June,  1799,  resolved  that  all  proceedings  respect- 
ing the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  ought  to  be 
suspended  until  a  future  Convention  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey 
shall  declare  their  sense  of  the  subject  ; 

Resolved^  That  the  proceedings  and  declaration  of  the  state 
Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  New  Jersey,  on 
the  subject  to  them  referred,  be  read,  and  that  the  testimonials  of 
this  house,  requisite  on  such  occasions,  be  given  by  this  house. 

The  proceedings  of  the  state  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  in  New  Jersey,  respecting  the  election  of  Dr. 
Ogden  as  Bishop  for  that  state,  were  accordingly  read,  and  fully 
considered;  and  the  question  upon  signing  the  requisite  testimo- 
nial being  taken  by  states,  it  was  negatived. 

The  house  adjourned  to  4  o'clock. 

«• 

Thursday,  4  o'clock^  P,  M, 

The  house  met. 

A  communication  from  the  House  of"  Bishops,  respecting  the 
articles  of  religion,  was  read  ; 

And,  on  motion,  a  committee,  consisting  of  a  Clerical  member 
from  each  state,  viz.  Dr.  Parker,  Mr.  Baldwin,  Mr.  Wilkins,  Dr. 
Ogden,  Dr.  Smith,  Mr,  Clay,  and  Mr.  Kemp,  were  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration  the  foregoing  communication  from  the 
House  of  Bishops,  and  were  ordered  to  report  to  this  house  to- 
morrow. 

A  messsage  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  disa- 
greeing to  the  resolution  of  this  house,  making  an  addition  to  the 
fourth  canon  of  1799,  and  proposing  instead  thereof,  that  the 
fourth  canon  of  1795  be  revived,  wi':h  the  following  addition; 
viz.  "  In  which  case  the  Bishop  shall  record  the  reasons  of  the 
aforesaid  dispensation ;  and  the  reasons  so  recorded  shall  be  liable 
to  be  called  for  at  any  meeting  of  the  state  Convention,  and,  if 
said  Convention  think  proper,  shall  be  entered  on  their  journals." 
«-"  the  fourth  canon  of  1799  to  be  repealed." 

This  house  disagreed  to  the  proposed  substitute  from  the  House 
pf  Bishops  to  their  resolution,  and  requested  a  conference.  Dr. 
J*arker,  Rev.  Mr.  Wilkins,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Kemp,  were  appointed 
a  committee  on  the  part  of  this  house ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart 
was  requested  to  inform  the  House  of  Bishops  thereof. 

The  following  resolution  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bi- 
sjiops,  and  agreed  to  by  this  house  ;  viz. 


197 

Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  State  Conventions, 
that  it  is  proposed  to  consider  and  determine,  in  the  next  General 
Convention,  on  the  following  alteration  of  the  first  article  of  the 
constitution,  viz  : 

Art.  1.  There  shall  be  a  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  of  May,  1808,  and  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  May  in  every 
third  year  afterwards,  &c.  as  before- 

A  proposed  canon  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops, 
respecting  those  persons  who  shall  discontinue,  without  lawful 
cause,  all  exercise  of  the  ministerial  office;  which  was  considered 
by  this  House,  and  agreed  to. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  following  clause  be  added  to  the 
6th  rule  ol  order :  "  without  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the 
House." 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Kerr,  Resolved^  That  the  presiding  Bishop 
in  the  House  of  Bishops,  be  requested  to  appoint  a  clergyman  of 
this  House,  to  perform  divine  service,  and  preach  a  sermon  every 
evening  during  the  present  session. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev  Mr.  Bend,  Resolved^  That  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  several  State  Conventions  of  this  church,  to  cause 
as  great  a  number  as  possible  of  the  constitution  and  canons  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  of  the 
constitution  and  canons  of  their  respective  churches,  to  be  printed 
and  distributed  among  their  respective  congreg.itions. 

The  foregoing  resolution  was  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, and  a  message  was  received  from  them,  informing  this 
House  that  they  had  concurred  in  the  same. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers,  from  Connecticut,  asked  leave  of  ab- 
sence during  the  remainder  of  the  session,  which  was  granted. 

The  Rev.  Mr-  Ireland,  from  the  state  of  New  York,  asked 
leave  of  absence  during  the  remainder  of  the  session,  which  was 
granted. 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday^  September  \1. 

The  house  met,  and  the  Chaplain  read  pravers. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Harris,  from  Massachusetts,  asked  leave  of  ab- 
sence during  the  remainder  of  the  session,  which  was  granted. 

The  House  then  adjourned  to  attend  divine  service  at  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Trenton,  on  occasion  of  the  consecration  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  New  York. 

After  divine  service,  the  House  met  at  4  o'clock,  P.  M. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Right  Rrv.  Bishop  White,  for  his  sermon  delivered 
this  day,  at  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  and  that  he 
be  requested  to  furnish  a  cop}'  of  the  same  for  publication. 

A  proposed  canon  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops, 
limiting  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795. 


198 

The  foregoing  canon  was  adopted  with  an  amendment. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  Rev.  Mr.  Shelton,  and  James  Clark,  Esq, 
were  appointed   a  committee  to  consider  certain   memorials  pre- 
sented to  this  House  from  churches  in  New  Hampshire  and  Ver- 
mont, and  to  report  thereon.  / 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  communication  from 
the  House  of  Bishops,  respecting  the  articles  of  religion,  made 
a  report,  which  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House 
of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilkins  presented  the  following  proposed  canon: 
"  No  Lay  Deputy  shall  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  this  House, 
who  shall  not  have  been  a  communicant  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  for  at  least  one  year  previous  to  his  appointment. 

The  question  was  taken  by  states  on  the  foregoing  canon,  and 
the  yeas  and  nays  were  as  follows  : 

Clergy.  Laity. 

Massachusetts — No. 

Connecticut — Yea.  Connecticut — No. 

New  York — Yea.  New  York — Yea. 

New  Jersey — No. 
Pennsylvania — No. 

Delaware — No.  Delaware — No. 

Maryland — No.  Maryland — No. 

So  it  was  determined  in  the  negative. 

Reaolvtd,  That  the  Secretaries  of  the  former  Convention,  and 
the  Secretaries  of  the  present  Convention,  be  requested  to  trans- 
mit all  the  papers  to  the  committee  who  were  appointed  for  the 
purpose  of  airranging  and  recording  the  Journals  of  the  General 
Convention ;  and,  when  these  papers  are  recorded,  they  shall  be 
deposited  with  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  Pennsylvania,  to  be 
transmitted  to  the  next  General  Convention. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  House,  that  they  had  con- 
curred in  the  amendment  proposed  by  this  House,  to  the  propos- 
ed canon  limiting  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795. 
The  House  adjourned  to  8  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday^  8  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  House  met,  and  the  Chaplain  read  prayers. 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  memorials  from  cer- 
tain churches  in  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  made  the  follow- 
ing report,  which  was  read,  and  unanimously  adopted ;  viz  : 

Report  of  the  Committee. 

It  appears  from  the  memorials  of  certain  churches  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  eastern  part  of 
the  state  of  Vermont,  that,  having  agreed  to  and  adopted  the  ge- 
neral constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  they  are  desirous  of  forming  a  junction,  and  uniting 
themselves,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  Conventions,  and  effect- 


199 

ing  a  clue  organization  of  their  C:.urches  ;  and,  on  account  of  the 
impracticabiht^  of  joining  with  tht  other  churches  in  said  respec- 
tive states,  they  are  desirous  of  bei^r  considered  as  a  separate 
district.  Your  committee  are  of  opi.\on,  that  the  8th  canon  of 
1795  militates  against  the  wishes  of  saia  jviemorialists,  but  that 
their  local  situation  requires  a  dispensation  iVom  the  operation  of 
said  canon,  moi'e  especially  as  many  valuable  tracts  of  land  have 
been  granted  to  the  Episcopal  Church  in  those  towns,  and  others 
in  the  vicinity,  which  land  requires  the  attention  of  a  duly  orga- 
nized church  for  its  preservation  and  improvement.  Your  com- 
mittee are  therefore  of  opinion,  that,  from  their  peculiar  circum- 
stances, they  ought  to  be  allowed  to  put  themselves  under  the  ju- 
risdiction of  a  Bishop  of  one  of  the  neighbouring  states,  until  a 
Bishop  shall  be  duly  consecrated  and  settled  in  said  states,  as  the 
only  measure  that  can  relieve  them  under  their  peculiar  situation 
and  circumstances.  Signed  by  order, 

S.  PARKER. 

The  above  report  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  re- 
turned with  their  concurrence. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  proposed  a  canon,  prescribing  the  mode 
of  publishing  authorized  editions  of  the  common  prayer  book, 
&c.  which  was  read  and  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  ot  Bi- 
shops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  the  foregoing  canon,  with  an 
amendment,  in  which  this  House  concurred. 

The  House  of  Bishops  also  returned  to  this  House  the  resolu- 
tion respecting  the  articles  of  religion,  with  umendii>ents,  which 
were  read  and  adopted.  [For  this  resolution  respecting  articles 
of  reliifion^  as  agreed  to  by  the  House  of  Bishops  and  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies ^  see  Appendix,'] 

This  House  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  a  re- 
solution respecting  certain  spurious  editions  of  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  House,  that  they  disa- 
greed to  the  above  named  resolution,  and  proposed  another  as  a 
substitute,  which  was  adopted  by  this  House. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  proposed  a  canon,  making  an  addition  to 
the  1st  canon  of  1795,  of  Episcopal  Visitation;  which  was  read 
and  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  House,  that  they  concur- 
red in  the  foregoing  canon. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  Resolved^  That  the  House 
of  Bishops  be  requested  to  consider  of  and  establish  a  course  of 
theological  studies  proper  for  candidates  for  holy  orders,  and  to 
report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Convention. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concurred  in  the  foregoing  resolution. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  Rev. Mr.  Ire- 
land (of  Baltimore,)  Rev.  Mr.  Kemp,  Rev.  Mr.  Coleman,  and 


200 

Rev.  Mr.  Dashiell,  be  appointed  ^  committee  to  report  to  this 
House,  at  the  next  General  Contention,  such  additional  hymns  as 
they  shall  think  are  adapted  tc><:hristian  worship. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  TMt  the  Hev.  Dr.  Beach,  Rev.  Mr.  Ho- 
bart,  with  the  Secretary  e^  this  House,  be  a  committee  on  the  part 
of  this  House,  to  revisit  and  publish  the  Journals.  &c.  of  this  Con- 
vention, and  also  to  superintend  the  printing  of  Bishop  White's 
sermon,  delivered  before  this  Convention. 

Ordered^  That  five  hundred  copies  of  the  Journals,  and  the  same 
number  of  the  sermon,  be  printed. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention  be  held  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concurred  in  the  foregoing  resolution. 

On  motion,  Resohedy  That  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  be 
requested  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next  General 
Convention  ;   and  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  inform  the  House  of^ 
Bishops  of  the  foregoing  resolution,  and  that  this  House  are  ready 
to  adjourn. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell,  Secretary  of 
the  House  of  Bishops,  be  requested  to  return  the  thanks  of  this 
Convention  to  the  Governor  for  the  use  of  the  rooms  in  the  State 
House. 

Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  given  to  their  Presi- 
dent, the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  and  to  their  Secretary  and  Chaplain,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  for  their  attention  and  services. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  reported,  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore  would- comply  with  the  request  of  this  House,  to  preach  a 
sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next  General  Convention  ;  and  that 
the  House  of  Bishops,  having  no  further  communications  to  make, 
concurred  in  the  resolution  of  adjournment. 

The  House  adjourned  sine  die. 
Signed  hu  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

ABRAHAM  BEAcJS,  President. 
Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

Trenton,  State  of  New  Jersey. 

St.  Michael's  church,  Sept.  8,  1801. 

THIS  being  the  day  of  the  meeting  ot  the  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
White,  of  Pennsylvania,  appeared,  and  appointed  to  meet  to-mor« 
row  at  9  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  9,  1801. 

Present  as  before,  together  with  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett, 
of  Maryland,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  of  Connecticut. 


201 

The  house  attended  divine  service  with  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputit-s.  •    •  u 

His  excellency  the  governor  having  granted  permission  to  the 
Convention  to  meet  in  the  State  House,  Resolved,  That  this  house 
do  adjourn  to  meet  immediately  in  the  council  chamber  of  the  sam6. 

The  house  met  at  the  State  House. 

Some  doubt  arising  in  regard  to  the  meaning  of  the  rule  of  this 
house  in  the  year  1792,  substituted  in  the  place  of  the  Ist  rule  of 
this  house  in  1789 — Resolved,  That  until  the  same  shall  be  consi- 
dered and  explained  by  this  house,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White 
be  requested  to  preside  at  the  present  session. 

The    Rev.  Henry   Waddell  was  appointed   Secretary   of  this 

house.  _ 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 

Deputies,  bv  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kemp,  informing  this  house  that  they 

were   organised,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business.     This  house 

informed  them,  that  they  were  ready  for  the  same. 

A  letter  was  laid  before  this  house  from  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 

Provoost,  addressed  to  Bishop  AVhite,  as  follows : 

"iVew  York,  Sept.  7, 1801. 

"  Right  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

^*I  think  it  my  duty  to  request,  that,  as  President  of  the 
House  of  Bishops,  you  will  inform  that  venerable  body,  that,  in- 
duced by  ill  health,  and  some  melancholy  occurrences  in  my  fa- 
mily, and  an  ardent  wish  to  retire  from  all  public  employment,  I  re- 
signed, at  the  last  meeting  of  our  Church  Convention,  my  jurisdic- 
tion as  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 

New  York. 

^  "1  am,  with  great  regard, 

*'  Dear  and  Right  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

'^  SAMUEL  PROVOOST. 
«  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White." 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  wa3 
read,  as  follown :- -"  The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
wish  to  know  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  whether  they  have  re- 
ceived any  communication  from  Bishop  Provoost,  on  the  subject 
of  the  resignation  of  his  Episcopal  jurisdiction  in  the  state  of 
New  York." 

The  House  of  Bishops  having  considered  the  subject  brought 
before  them  by  the  letter  of  Bishop  Provoost,  and  by  the  message 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  touching  the  same, 
can  see  no  grounds  on  which  to  believe,  that  the  contemplated 
resignation  is  consistent  with  ecclesiastical  order,  or  with  the 
practice  of  episcopal  churches  in  any  ages,  or  with  the  tenor  of 
the  office  of  consecration.  Accordinglx ,  while  they  sympathize 
most  tenderly  with  their  brother  Bishop  Provoost,  on  account  of 
that  ill  health,  and  those  melancholv  occurrences  which  have  led  to 

D  d 


202 

the  design  in  question,  they  judge  It  to  be  inconsistent  with  the 
sacred  trust  committed  to  them,  to  recognize  the  Bishop's  act  as 
an  effectual  resignation  of  his  episcopal  jurisdiction.  Neverthe* 
less,  being  sensible  of  the  present  exigencies  of  the  church  of  New- 
York,  and  approving  of  their  making  provision  for  the  actual  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  of  the  episcopacy,  the  Bishops  of  this  house 
are  ready  to  consecrate  to  the  office  of  Bishop,  any  person  who 
may  be  presented  to  them  with  the  requisite  testimonials  from 
the  General  and  State  Conventions ;  and  of  whose  religious,  mo- 
ral, and  literary  character,  due  satisfaction  may  be  given.  Bat 
this  house  must  be  understood  to  be  explicit  in  their  declaration, 
that  they  shall  consider  such  a  person  as  assistant  or  co-adjutor 
Bishop  during  Bishop  Provoost's  life,  although  competent  in  point 
of  character  to  all  the  episcopal  duties ;  the  extent  in  which  the 
same  shall  be  discharged  by  him,  to  be  dependent  on  such  regu- 
lations as  expediency  may  dictate  to  the  church  in  New  York, 
grounded  on  the  indisposition  of  Bishop  Provoosti  and  with  his 
concurrence. 

The  Secretary  not  being  present.  Bishop  Jarvis  is  requested  to 
deliver  the  al)ove  as  a  message  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  and  to  furnish  that  house  with  a  copy  of  Bishop  Pro- 
voost's letter. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  informing,  that  the  meetings 
of  that  house,  during  the  session,  are  appointed  to  be  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  at  four  in  the  afternoon.  This  house 
agreed  on  the  same  hours,  and  informed  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies  thereof,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker. 

Adjourned  to  4  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  9,  4  d*ctock^  P.  3L 

The  house  niPt.    Present  as  yesterday. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Waddell  took  his  place  as  Secretary  to  this 
house. 

I'he  house  agreed  on  a  form  and  manner  of  setting  forth  the 
articles  of  religion,  ahd  agreed  that  the  same  be  sent  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for  their  concurrence  ;  which  was 
done  accordingly. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  Sept,  10,  9  o'clock^  A.  3L 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  testimonial  from  the  Convention  of  the  church  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin  Moore,  as  Bi- 
shop elect  of  the  church  in  that  state ;  and  also  the  testimonial  from 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  now  sitting,  in  favour 
of  the  said  Dr.  Moore,  being  received  and  read,  and  found  agree- 
tible  to  the  prescribed  forms  ;  Resolved^  That  the  House  of  Clerical 


203 

and  Lay  Deputies  be  informed,  that  the  Bishops  now  present  ar^ 
ready  to  proceed  to  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  to- 
morrow morning,  at  10  o'clock. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  informed  this  house, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  that  they  will  attend  the  consecration  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  at  the  time  appointed. 

This  house  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bend,  a  message  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  question  being  taken  in  the  Uouse  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  upon  thv-  following  alteration  in  the  1st  article  of 
the  constitution  ;  viz.  '  Art.  1.  There  shall  be  a  General  Coi.ven." 
tion  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1805,  and  on  the  third  Tuesday  oi  May,  in  every  fifth  year  alter- 
terwards,'  &c.  And  the  votes  being  taken,  it  was  determined  in 
the  negative." 

This  house  resolved,  That  it  be  proposed  to  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies  to  propose  to  the  next  General  Convention^ 
that  the  first  article  of  the  constitution  shall  be  as  follows ;  vii. 
"  Art.  1.  There  shall  be  a  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  in  May,  1808,  and  in  every  third  year,"  &c.  as  before. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  AVharton,  proposing  an  addition  to  the 
4th  canon  of  1799.  This  house  disagreed  to  the  said  proposal, 
and  instead  thereof  proposed  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  the  revival  of,  and  an  addition  to,  that  part  of  the  4th 
canon  of  1795,  which  had  been  repealed,  together  with  the  repeal 
of  the  4th  canon  of  1799. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  the  afternoon. 

Thursday,  4  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  before. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  informing  this  house  that  they 
disagree  to  the  proposal  made  to  them  by  this  house  for  the  revival 
of,  and  an  addition  to,  that  part  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795  which 
had  been  repealed,  together  witji  the  repeal  of  the  4th  canon  of 
1799,  and  requesting  a  conference  on  the  subject  with  this  house; 
whereupon  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  was  appointed  a  com- 
mittee on  the  part  of  this  house,  to  meet  and  confer  with  a  com- 
mittee of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  on  the  subject 
aforesaid. 

The  house  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  Sept.  11,9  o'clock. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  house  adjourned,  in  order  to  attend  the  consecration  of  the 
Bishop  elect  of  the  church  in  the  state  of  New  York, 


i^04 

Friday,  4  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  before. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Depuiies,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  with  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  State  Con- 
ventions of  this  church,  to  cause  as  great  a  number  as  possible  of 
the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States,  and  of  the  consiitution  and  canons  of  their 
respective  churches,  to  be  printed,  and  distributed  among  their 
congregations. 

Whv  rcupon  it  was  Resolved^  That  this  House  do  concur  in  the 
aforesaid  resolution. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  who  was  consecrated  this 
morning,  appeared  in  the  House  and  took  his  seat. 

A- proposed  canon,  limiting  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of 
179j,  was  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties for  their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  CI  rical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  the  above 
canon  asadopied  by  them,  with  an  amendment,  which  was  agreed 
to  by  this  House. 

The  Rignt  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  asked  and  obtained  leave  of 
absence. 

The  House  adjourned  to  8  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  Sept,  12,  8  o'clock^  A.  M, 

The  House  met.  Present,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  '^mith,  with  a  proposed  canon,  making 
an  addition  to  the  1st  canon  of  1795.  The  proposed  canon  was 
agreed  to  by  this   House. 

This  House  agreed  to  a  resolution  received  from  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  respecting  ar  icles  of  religion. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
putit-s  applications  from  certain  churches  of  New  Hampshire  and 
"Vermont,  resp>:cting  certain  arrangements  on  account  of  their  lo- 
cal circumstances,  which  papers  were  accompanied  with  a  reso- 
lution of  the  House  of  Cler  cal  and  Lay  Deputies  concerning  the 
same.     This  House  concurr-d  in  the  resolution. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  a  proposed  canon,  prescribing  the 
mode  of  publishing  auhovised  editions  of  the  common  prayer 
boot,,  &c.  which  canon  this  House  agreed  to  with  an  amendment. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  proposal,  that  the  next  meeting  of  the  Convention  should 
be  in  the  city  of  New  York  ;  in  which  this  House  concurred. 

The  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  the  amend- 


205 

ment  of  this  House,  to  the  proposed  canon  prescribing  the  mode 
of  publishing  authorised  editions  of  the  common  prayer  book,  &c. 
with  their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  sent  to  this  House  a 
proposed  resolution,  requesting  this  House  to  consider  of  and  es- 
tablish a  course  of  eccksiastical  studies  proper  for  candidates  for 
holy  orders,  and  to  report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Con- 
vention. 

This  House  concurred  in  the  foregoing  resolution. 
This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties a  proposed  resolution,  concerning  spurious  editions  of  the 
common  prayer,  which  this  House  disagreed   to,  and  proposed 
the  following  as  a  substitute,  viz  : 

"  Whereas  this  Convention  has  received  information,  that  cer- 
tain unauthorised  books  of  common  prayer  have  been  published, 
in  which  some  parts  of  the  authoi-ised  book  are  omitted,  and  other 
matters  added ; 

"  Resolved^  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  Bishop  to  make 
enquiry  into,  and  report  at  every  meeting  of  the  Convention,  such 
cases  of  this  sort  as  may  have  come  within  his  knowledge." 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties their  concurrence  in  the  foregoing  resolution. 

This  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties a  proposed  resolve,  that  the  Right  Rev-  Bishop  Moore 
be  requested  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  next  General  Convention ; 
which  resolve  was  adopted  by  this  House. 

This  House  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  naming  a  committee  on  their  part  for  revising  and 
publishing  the  Journals;  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  was 
appointed  a  committee  on  the  part  of  this  House. 

A  resolution  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  requesting  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddell  to  return  the  thanks 
of  this  Convention  to  the  Governor,  for  the  use  of  the  rooms  in 
the  State  House. 

This  House  concurred  in  the  foregoing  resolution. 
A   message  was  received  from  the  House  oi  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  this  House  that  they  are  ready  to  adjourn. 
Resolved^  That  this  House  are  also  ready  to  adjourn. 
Resolved,  That  the  thanksof  this  House  be  returned  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Waddell,  their  Secretary,  for  his  attention  and  services. 
The  House  rose. 

Signed  by  Order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attest.     Henry  Waddell,  Secretary. 

The  Certifcate  of  the  Consecration  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore,  is  as  follows  : 
"  KNOW  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  William  White, 
D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 


206 

Pennsylvania,  presiding  Bishop  ;  Thomas  John  Claggett,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Mary- 
land ;  and  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  state  of  Connecticut;  under  the  protection  of 
Almighty  God,  in  St.  Michael's  Church,  in  the  city  of  Trenton, 
on  Friday,  the  1 1th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  one,  did  then  and  there  rightly  and 
canonically  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Benjamin  Moore, 
D.  D.  Rector  of  Trinity  Church  in  the  city  of  New  York,  of  whose 
sufficiency  in  good  learning,  soundness  in  the  faith,  and  purity  of 
manners,  we  were  fully  ascertained,  into  the  office  of  Bishop  of 
the  ProtestantEpiscopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New  York;  to  which 
the  said  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D,  hath  been  elected  by  the  Con- 
vention of  the  said  state,  in  consequence  of  the  inability  of  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  and  of  his  declining  all  episcopal 
jurisdiction  within  the  said  state. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  signed  our  names,  and  caused 
our  seals  to  be  affixed. 

**  Given  in  the  city  of  Trenton,  this  eleventh  day  of  September, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  one. 
"  WILLIAM  WHITE,  (l.  s.) 

"  THOMAS  J.  CLAGGETT,  (l.  s.) 

"  ABRAHAM  JARVIS."  (l.  s.) 


APPENDIX. 

Resolution  of  the  Bishops^  the  Clergy  y  and  Laity  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America^  in  Conven- 
tiofiy  in  the  city  of  Trenton^  the  12th  day  of  Septemhery  in  the 
year  of  our  Lordy  1801,  respecting  articles  of  religion. 

THE  articles  of  religion  are  hereby  ordered  to  be  set  forth 
with  the  following  directions  to  be  observed  in  all  future  editions 
of  the  same  ;  that  is  to  say — 

The  following  to  be  the  title ;  viz. 

"  Articles  of  religion,  as  established  by  the  Bishops,  the  Clergy 
and  the  Laity  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  Convention,  on  the  12th  day  of  September, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1801." 

The  articles  to  stand  as  in  the  book  of  common  prayer  of  the 
church  of  England,  with  the  following  alterations  and  omissions, 
viz. 

In  the  8th  article,  the  word  three  in  the  title,  and  the  words 
three — Athanasius's  creed,  in  the  article,  to  be  omitted,  and  the 
article  to  read  thus  : 

"Art.  8.  Of  the  Creeds. 
"The  Nicene  creed,  and  that  which  is  commonly  called  the 


207 

Apostles  creed,  ought  thoroughly  to  be  received  and  believed  ;  for 
they  may  be  proved  by  most  certain  warrants  of  holy  scripture." 

Under  the  title,  "  article  21,"  the  following  note  to  be  inserted  ; 
viz. 

'*  The  21st  of  the  former  articles  is  omitted,  because  it  is  partly 
of  a  local  and  civil  nature,  and  is  provided  for,  as  to  the  remaining 
parts  of  it,  in  other  articles." 

The  35th  article  to  be  inserted  with  the  following  note  ;  viz. 

"  This  article  is  received  in  this  church,  so  far  as  it  declares 
the  books  of  homilies  to  be  an  explication  of  Christian  doctrine, 
and  instructive  in  piety  and  morals.  But  all  references  to  the 
constitution  and  laws  of  England  are  considered  as  inapplicable^ 
to  the  circumstances  of  this  church,  which  also  suspends  the  order 
for  the  reading  of  said  homilies  in  churches,  until  a  revision  of  them 
may  conveniently  be  made,  for  the  clearing  of  them,  as  well  from 
obsolete  words  and  phrases,  as  from  the  local  references." 

The  36th  article,  entitled,  "pf  consecration  of  Bishops  and 
Ministers,"  to  read  thus  : 

"  The  book  of  consecration  of  Bishops,  and  ordering  of  Priests 
and  Deacons,  as  set  forth  by  the  General  Convention  of  this  church 
in  1792,  doth  contain  all  things  necessary  to  such  consecration  and 
ordering;  neither  hath  it  any  thing  that,  of  itself,  is  superstitious 
and  ungodly:  and,  therefore,  whosoever  are  consecrated  or  order- 
ed according  to  said  form,  we  decree  all  such  to  be  rightly,  or- 
derly, and  lawfully  consecrated  and  ordered." 

The  Srth  article  to  be  omitted,  and  the  following  substituted  in 
its  place : 

"  Of  the  power  of  the  Civil  Magistrate^ 

"  The  power  of  the  Civil  Magistrate  extendeth  to  all  men,  as 
well  Clergy  as  Laity,  in  all  things  temporal,  but  hath  no  autho- 
rity in  things  purely  spiritual.     And  we  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of 
all  men  who  are  professors  of  the  gospel,  to  pay  respectful  obedi- 
ence to  the  civil  authority,  regularly  and  legitimately  constituted/' 
Adopted  by  the  House  of  Bishops. 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  1).  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
Adopted  by  the  House  of  Cleriml  and  Lay  Deputies, 
ABRAHAM  BEACH,  D.  D.  President. 


CANONS— Passed  1801. 

Canon  I.  Respecting  those  who  discontinue  all  exercise  of  the 
Ministerial  ojice  without  lawful  cause^  £s?c. 
If  any  person,  having  been  ordained  in  this  church,  ov 
having  been  otherwise  regularly  ordained  and  admitted  a  Mi* 
nister  in  this  church,  shall  discontinue  all  exercise  of  the  Ministe- 
rial office  without  lawful  cause,  or  shall  avow  that  he  is  no  longer 
a  Minister  of  this  church,  or  shrdl  live  in  the  liabitual  disuse  oi 


208 

the  public  worship,  or  of  the  holy  eucharist,  according  to  the  offices 
of  this  church — such  person,  on  due  proof  of  the  same,  or  on  his 
own  confession,  shall  be  liable  to  be  degraded  from  the  Ministry. 

Canon  II.  Limiting  the  operatioji  of  the  4>th  canon  of  1795. 

The  Bishop  of  this  church,  in  any  state,  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  all  the  clerical  members  of  the  standing  committee  of 
his  diocese,  may  dispense  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Latin  and 
Greek  languages,  and  other  branches  of  learning  not  strictly  ec- 
clesiastical, which  are  required  by  the  4th  canon  of  1795. 

Canon  III.  Prescribing  the  mode  of  publishing  authorised  editions 
of  the  common  prayer  book^  ^c. 

The  Bishop  of  this  church,  in  any  state,  or,  where  there  is  no 
Bishop,  the  standing  committee  are  authorised  to  appoint,  from 
time  to  time,  some  suitable  person  or  persons  to  compare  and 
correct  all  new  editions  of  the  common  prayer  book,  book  of  of- 
fices, &c.  by  some  standard  book  ;  and  a  certificate  of  their  having 
been  so  compared  and  corrected  shall  be  published  with  said 
books.  And  in  case  any  edition  shall  be  published  without  such 
correction,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Bishop,  or,  where  tht-re  is 
no  Bishop-,  of  the  standing  committee,  to  give  public  notice  that 
such  edition  is  not  authorised  by  the  church.  The  Bishop  of 
this  church  in  Pennsylvania,  h  hereby  authorised  to  set  forth  an 
edition  of  the  articles  of  religion,  which,  when  published,  shall  be 
the  standard  copy.  The  octavo  edition  of  the  common  prayer 
book,  published  in  New  York  in  1793,  by  Hugh  Gaine,  and  the 
quarto  edition  of  the  book  of  offices,  &c.  of  the  same  year,  pub- 
lished in  the  same  place,  are  hereby  established  as  standard  books, 
with  tfie  exception  of  errors  evidently  typographical ;  the  correc- 
tion of  which  errors,  is  confided  to  such  person  or  persons,  as  the 
Bishop  or  standing  committee  may  appoint  for  superintending  any 
publication. 

Canon  IV.  Making  an  addition  to  the  1st  Canon  of  1795,  C(7«- 
cerning  Episcopal  Visitation. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  Bishop  of  this  church  to  keep  a 
register  of  his  proceedings  at  every  visitation  of  his  diocese,  and 
particularly  of  the  names  and  age  of  the  persons  confirmed,  and 
to  report  a  copy  of  such  register  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  at 
every  triennial  meeting  of  the  General  Convention  of  this  church, 
in  order  that  the  same  may  be  communicated  to  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  to  be  preserved  among  the  general 
records  of  the  church. 

The  above  canons  passed  in  Convention,  September,  1801. 
By  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops, 
WILLLVM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
By  order  of  the  House  sf  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 
ABRAHAM  BEACH,  D.D.  President, 


209 

List  of  the  Clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in  the 
United  States  of  America, 

DeUvered  in  and  pubUshed  agreeably  to  the  16th  canon  of  1789. 1801. 


jV(?w  Huvipshire.* 
THE  Rev.  Joseph  WiUaid,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Portsmoutli. 

Robert  H.  Fowle,  Rector  of  

church,  Hoklernesse. 

Daniel    Barber,     Rector    of    

church,  Clcrnriont. 

J\tassaclntsetts. 
The    Right   Rev.  Edward   Bass,  D.  D. 

Bisl)op. 
The  Rev  William  Willard  Wheeler,  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Michael's  cluirch,  Scituate, 
and  St.  I'eter's,  Marslitield. 

. Nathaniel   Fisher,    Rector  of  St. 

Peter's  cliurcli,  >-ialeni. 

Samuel    Parker,  1>.  D     Rector  of 

Trinity  cliarch,  Boston. 
John 'Sylvester  I.  Gardner,   Assist- 
ant  Minister    of    Trinity    church, 
Boston.  . 

. Samuel  Haskill,    Rector  of  Christ 

chiu-ch,  Boston. 

. VVill.am  Montague,   Rector  of  St. 

Paid's  church,   Dedham,  and 

church,  Quincy. 
.^.       W  lliam  Han-is,  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Marblehead. 
-_      -  James  Bowers,  Deacon,  Pittstown. 

I  Rhode  Island. 
The  Rev.  John  Usher,  Kector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Bristol. 
Abraham  L.  Clarke,  Assistant  Mi- 
nister of  St.  Michael's  church,  Bris- 
tol- 
Theodore  Dehon,  Rector  of  Trmity 

church,  Newport. 
., Abraham  Brunson,  Deacon,  Assist- 
ant   Minister    of    Trinity    church, 
Newport. 

■  Nathaniel  Bow^n,  Deacon,  Provi- 
dence. 

CoJinectinit. 
The  Right  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D. 

Bishop. 
The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Learning,  residing  at 
New  Haven. 

„ John  Bowden,   D.  D.  principal  of    ■ 

the  Episcopai  Academy,  Cheshire. 
_,      Richard  Mansfield,  D.  D   Hector  of 
Christ    church,     Derby,    and    the 
churches  at  Oxford  and  iireat  Hill. 
_        BelaHubbard,  D.  D.  Rector  oiTii- 
nity  church,  New  Haven,  and  Ohi-ist 
church,  West  Haven. 
.,— John  lylev.  Rector  of  Christ  church, 
Norwich. 

•  The  list  from  this  state  is  the  same  as 
new  list  having  been  delivered  in. 


-  Daniel    Fogg,  Rector  of   ' 
churcli;  I'omfret. 

-  Philo  .-ihelton,  Rector  of  Trinity 
church,  Fau^eld,  St.  John's  church, 
SU-atfield,  and church,  Wes- 
ton 

.'\  shbel  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,      Stratford,    and    Trinity 
church,  Trumbull. 

Chauncey  Prindle,  Rector  of  Christ 

churcli,  WalertowH,  and  St.  teeter's 

clmrch,  liymouth 
Reuben  Ives,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Cheshire,  andtlie  churches 

of  I  lamden  and  Southington. 
Tillotson  Bronson,    Recto;   of  St. 

John's  church,  Waterbury,  and ■ 

church,  Salem. 
1  ruman   Marsh,    Rector  of  — • 

church,  Litchfield. 

Ambrose   Todd,    Rector  of    St. 

Paul's  church,  Huntingdon. 

Daniel  Burhans,  Rector  of  Trinity 

clmrch,  Newtown,  and— —church. 
Brookfield. 

Uavid   Butler,    Rector   of  Christ 

church.  Heading,  and  the  churches 
of  Danbury  and  Ridgetield. 

Alexander  V.  Griswold,  Rector  of 

St.  Matttiew's  church,    Bristol,  St. 

Mark's  church,  Hai-winstown,  and 

church,  Norfield. 

Solomon   Blakslee,'  Rector  of   St. 

Stephen's  chuixh,  East  Haddam. 

Charles    Seabury,    Rector    of  St. 

James's  church.  New  London. 

Smitli  Miles    Rector  of  the  church- 

es   at  Chatham   and   Middle  Had- 
dam. 

Evan  Rogers,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's, 

Hebron,  and church,  Marlbo- 
rough. 

Joseph  Warren,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,  Middletown. 

Widiam  Green,  residiig   in    New 

London. 

Calvin  White,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Stamford,  and church. 

Horse  Neck. 

Meiizies  Rayner,  Rector  of  -— 

church,  Harilord. 

Jasper  D.Jones    Deacon, 

Natl-an  B.  Burges,   Deacon,  officU 

ating  at  t.uilford  and  No;  tli  Bristol. 

W'hitlock,  Deacon,  officiating- 

at  Ncrwalk  and  Dilton. 


in  the  Journal  of  tlie  last  Convention,  nl>\ 


210 


The  Rev.  Bethuel  Judd,  Deacon,  offici- 
ating at  Woodbury  and  Roxbury. 
JVew  York. 

The  Right  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.D.  Rev. 
John  Henry  Hobart,  Rev.  Cave  Jones, 
AssistantMinisters  of  I'rinity  church, 
New  York. 

Thomas  ElUson,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Albany- 

Richard  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St. 

Andrew's  church,  Staten  Island. 

Henry  Van  Dyke,  Rector  of   St. 

James's  chiu-ch,  Newtown. 

Ehjah  D.  Rattoone,  Rector  of  Grace 

church,  Jamaica,  and  St.  George's 
church,  Flushing. 

— . —  Seth  Hai-t,  Rector  of  St.  George's 
church,  Hempstead. 

Isaac  Wilkins,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Westchester ;  and  St.  Paul's 
church,  East  Chestei'. 

- — -  Theodosius  Bai'tow,  Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church.  New  Rochelle. 

John  Ireland,  Rector  of  St.  Ann's 

church,  Brooklyn. 

_ —  Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 
church,  Yonkers. 

_^ Frederick  Van  Home,    Rector  of 

St.  Andrew's  church.  Orange  county. 

— _  Robert  G.  Wetmore,  Rector  of  St. 
George's  church,  Schenectady,  and 
Christ  clmrch,   Duanesborough. 

. John  Urquhart,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Johnstown,  and chui'ch. 

Fort  Hunter. 

Philander  Chase,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,  Poughkeepsie,  and  Trinity 
church,  Fishkill. 

Thatcher,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,      Ballstown,     and     other 
churches. 

Daniel  Nush,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es, Otsego. 

Amos  Pardee,   Rector  of 

chujch  Hampton. 

The  Rigiit  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  Rev. 
wTlliam  Smith,  D.D.  Rev.  Samuel 
Nesbitt,  residing  in  New  York. 

J^'e-iV  Jersey. 

'I'he  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

Trinitv  church,  Newark. 

Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.  Rector 

of  St.  Marv's  church,  Burlington. 
Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's chiuxh,  Trenton. 
John    Croes,    Rector    of    Christ 

church,  New  Brunswick. 
Andrew  Fowler,  Rector  of 

church,  Middleto  wn. 
Frederick   Beu.sley,    Deacon,    St. 

John's  church,  £li/iabctlitown. 


The  Re%'.  Cotten,  residing  at  present 
at  New  Brunswick. 

Pennsylvania. 

The  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St. 

Paul's  church,  Philadelphia. 

John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Vice  Pro- 
vost in  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Assistant 

Minister  of  Clu-ist  church  and 
St.  Peters,  in  the  city  of  Phi  la. 
delphia. 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

John   Campbell,    Rector   of  the 

churches  of  York  and  Hunting- 
don. 

Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 

Radnor,  St.  Peter's  in  tlie  Valley, 
and  St.  James's,  Perkiomen. 

_    Joseph    Clarkson,   Rector  of  St, 

James's,    Lancaster,  church, 

Pequea,  and church,  Carnar- 
von. 

Robert  Ayres,  rector  of  jEmanuel 

church,  Washington  county,  and  St. 
Peter's  church,  Fayette  comity. 

Francis  Reno,  Westmoreland  co. 

Joseph  'I'ui-ner,  rector  of  St.  Paul's 

church,  Cliester,  and  St.  Martm's 
church,  Marcus  Hook. 

— —  Caleb  Hopkins,  rector  of  Christ 
church,  DeiTv  township,  and  Christ 
church,  Turbut  to  wnslup,  Nortlium- 
berland  county. 

Thomas  Davis,  Washington  co. 

James  Abercrombie,  Assistant  IVIi- 

nister  of  Christ  cluu-ch  and  St.  Pe- 
ter's, Philadelphia. 

Al)salom  Jones,    (a  black    man,) 

Deacon  in  the  .'\fricanchm'ch  of  St. 
Thomas,  Pluladel]Dhla, 

Dela-ivare. 
The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Emanuel  church. 
New  Castle. 

William   Pryce,  Trkjity  church, 

Wilmington. 

Joshua  Reese,  St.  Anne's  church, 

Middleto  wn. 

James    Wiltbank,    St.    George's 

church,  Sussex  county. 

JMaryland. 

The  Right  Rev.  Ihomas  J.  Claggett, 
D.  D.  Bi^liop. 

The  Rev.  Cliarles  Smoot,  Rector  of  Wil- 
liam  and  Mary  parish,  St.  Mar\''s  co. 

Henry  Lyon  Davis,  King  and  Queen 

parish,  Si.  Mary's  county. 

IJrockenbury,  Deacon,  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  parish,  Charles  co.- 

John  I.  Say'rs,    Durham    parish.. 

Charles  countv. 


211 


George     Ralph,    Trinity   parish, 

Charles  county. 

-  Edward  Gantt,  jun.  Christ  church, 
Calvert. 

Joseph    Messenger,   St.   John's, 

Prince  George's. 

Walter  D.    Addison,  residing  in 

Prince  George's. 

Andrew  M'Cormlck,  Washington, 

Prince  George's. 

Jolin  W.  Compton,  St.  James,  Anne 

Arundel. 

Ralph  Higginbotham,  St.    Ann's, 

Ann  Arundel. 

— —  Nicholas  W.  Lane,  All  Hallows, 
Ann  Arundel. 

— —  Owen  F.  Magrath,  residing  in  An- 
napolis, Ann  Arundel. 

Henry  Moscrop,  Westminster,  Ami 

Arundel. 

William  Swan,    St.    Margaret's, 

Ann  Arundel. 

•  Thomas  Read,  Prince  George's, 

Montgomery. 

Edward    Gantt,    sen.   residing    at 

Georgetown,  Montgomery. 

Thomas  Scott,  St.  Peter's,  Mont- 
gomery. 

George  Bower,  All  Saints,  Frede- 
rick. 

— —  *  Joseph  G.  I.  Bend,  associata  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Paul's,  Baltimore. 

John  Ireland,  associate  Rector  of 

St.  Paul's,  Baltimore. 

*  John  Coleman,  St.  Thomas,  Bal- 
timore. 

Francis  Barclay,  residing  in  Balti- 
more. 

John  Allen,  St.  George's,  Harford. 

James  Jones  Wilmer,  St.  John's, 

Harford. 

William  Duke,  residing  in  Cecil  co. 

Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  residing  in 

Kent  county. 

Archibald  Walker,  D.  D.  residing 

in  Kent  county. 

. George  Uashiell,  Chester  and  St. 

Paul's,  Kent  county. 

Samuel  Keene,  D.  U.  St.  Luke's, 

Queen  Ann's. 

Samuel  Keene,  jun.  residing  in  St. 

Luke's,  Queen  Ann's. 
*  Elisha  Rigg,  St.  Paul's,  Queen 

Ann's. 

Joseph  Jackson,  St.  Peter'.s,  Talbot. 

. James   Kemp,   Great   Choptank, 

Dorchester. 

William  Price,  Somerset,  Somerset. 

Samuel  Sloan,  residing  in  Somerset. 

David  Ball,  All  Hallow's,  Worcester. 

Vir^i7iia. 
The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D.  D. 

Bishop. 


The  Rev.  Charles  O'Neil,  rector  of  — *- 
Amherst. 

Alexander  Hay,  Antrim. 

— —  — — — •  Graj-,  Botetourt. 

Hugli  Corrans  Boggs,  Berkley. 

— — Heath,  Bei-kley. 

Benjamin  Brown,  Brisland. 

-  Andrew  Symc,  Bristol. 

John  Cameron,  D.  U.  rector  of . 

Alexander  M'Faihmd,  Brimswick . 

— —  John  Bracken,  D.  D.  Brutun. 

Jolni  Canun,  Charles. 

Hettbrnam,  Christ  Church. 

James  Elliott,  Cople. 

— —  Needier  Robinson,  Dale. 

Spence  Grayson,  Dettingen. 

Daniel  M'Naughton,  Christ  church. 

James  Whitehead,  Ehzabeth  River. 

Thomas  Davis,  Fairfax. 

Alexander  Balmaui,  Frederick. 

John   O'Weyhe,  Lecturer,   Fred- 

erick. 

Mattliew  Maury,  Fi'edericksvillc. 

John  Hooker  Reynolds,  Hardy. 

—— —  John  Buchanan,  D.  D.  Henrico. 

Samuel  S.  M'Croskey,  D.  13.  Hun- 

gars. 

John  Thompson,  Leeds. 

Charles  Crawford,  Lexington. 

William  Crawford, . 

James  Dickinson,  Littleton. 

Young',  Linienburgh. 

Anthony  Walke, Ljnnhaven. 

Armistead  Smith,  Matthews. 

John  Dumi,  Manchester. 

James  Leach,  Mecklenberg. 

William  Hubard,  Newport. 

Jacob  Keeling,  Nansemond. 

Robert  Buchan,  Overwharton. 

Arthur  Emerson,  Portsmouth. 

John  Brunskill,  Raleigh. 

James  Stevenson,  St.  George's. 

Charles  Hopkins,  St.  James  North- 
am. 

— —  James  Price,  St.  John's. 
——Thomas Hughes,  St.  David's. 

Archibald  Dick,  St.  Margaret's. 

John  Woodville,  St.  Mark's. 

Abner  Waugh,  St.  Mary's. 

John  Parsons, . 

John  Seward,  St.  Stephen's. 

John  Hyde  Saunders,  Soutliam,. 

Samuel  Butler,  Southwark. 

Lee  Massey,  Truro. 

Samuel  Chapin,  Westover. 

James  Evans,  Yorkhampton. 

John  C.  Brockenboroug,  Washing. 

ton. 
Duncan  M'Naughton,  Wicomico. 

Joseph  Wilson,  Cure  not  known. 

Stephen  Thompson,  do.  do. 

CorneUus  Carvert,  Ciu-e  not  known. 


*  Those  marked  tljas  ("}  are  members  of  the  Standing  Committee  this  year. 


212 


South  Carolina.* 

The  Kg-ht  Rev.  llobert  Smith,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Frost.,  St.  Phillip's, 
Charleston, 

.-—  Henry  Purcell,  D.  D.  St.  Michael's, 
Charleston. 

—  Edward  Jenkins,  St.  Michael's, 
Charleston. 

— —  Millwood  Pogson,  St.  James's. 
Goose  Creek,  and  St.  George's, 
Dorchester. 

— —  Peter  M.  Purker,  St.  John's,  Berk- 
ley. 

-«—  John  Thompson,  St.  Thomas. 


The  Rev.  Thomas  Mills,  St.  Andrew's, 
James  Island,  8t  St  Andrew's,  Main,' 

Edmond   Matthews,    St.  John'*, 

Edisto. 

Nixon,  St.  Bartholomew's. 

— —  Thomas  D.  Bladen,  St.  James,  San- 
tee. 

George  H.  Spierin,  Prince  George. 

■■■  James  Conner,  St.  Stephen's. 

John  O'Donnell,  All  Saints. 

— — Frazier,  Prince  Frederick. 

Gates,  D.  D.         ~| 

M'Cully,masterof  I  Residents 

an  academy,  Beaufort,  I  in  the  state 

■         Blackwell,  (without 

Best,  Master  of  an  I  cures. 

Academy,  Charleston.  J 


•  The  list  from  this  state  is  the  same  as  in  the  Journal  of  the  last  Conventioi^ 
no  new  list  having  been  delivered  in. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OF   THE 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OP   THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


IN    A 


(S®S3^I1S3=1PI1®S1( 


HELD  IN 


The   City  of  New  York,    from  Tuesday,  September    11th,  to 
Tuesday,  September  18th,  1804, 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 


OF  THE 


HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 


From  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  D.  D.    Rev.  Samuel  Haskell. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut, 

Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rev.  Philo  Shelton,  Rev.  Tillotson 
Bronson,  Rev.  Daniel  Burhans,  Nathan  Smith,  Esq.  Andrew 
Hilliar,  Esq. 

From  the  State  of  New  Tork, 

Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  Rev.  AVil"- 
Ijam  Harris,  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart,  William  Ogden,  Esq. 

From  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Rev.  John  Croes,  Rev.  Samuel  Lil- 
ly, Colonel  Samuel  Ogden. 

From  the  State  of  Pemisylvania. 

Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson,  Thomas 
Cumpston,  Esq.  Gen.  Francis  Gurney,  Mr.  Levi  Bull. 

F'rom  the  State  of  Delatvare. 
Rev.  William  Pryce. 

From  the  State  of  Maryland. 

Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  D.  D.  Rev.  James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Rev. 
John  Coleman,  Rev.  Joseph  Jackson,  William  Helmsley,  jun. 
Esq.  Richard  Key  Heath,  Esq. 


JOURNAL 

OK  THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES.      * 

New  Yoky  ,  September  11,  1804. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Gene- 
ral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  several  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  attended  at 
10  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  I'rinity  Church;  but  not  being  a  quorum, 
adjourned  to  meet  at  five  o'clock,  P.  M.  in  a  room  of  the  build- 
ing belonging  to  the  Episcopal  Charity  School. 

Five  o'clock,  F.  M. 

A  quorum  of  the  House  appearing,  they  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion, by  ballot,  of  a  President  and  Secretary,  when  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Abraham  Beach  was  duly  chosen  President,  and  the  Rev.  John  H. 
Hobart,  Secretary. 

The  testimonials  of  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Delegates  were  then 
read  and  approved  of,  and  the  following  gentlemen  took  their  seats 
in  the  house. 

From  Massachtisetts,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Parker,  Rev.  Sa- 
muel Haskell. — From  Connecticut,  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rev. 
Philo  Shelton,  Rev.  Tillotson  Bronson,  Rev.  Daniel  Burhans. — 
From  New  Tork^  Rev.  Dr.  Abraham  Beach,  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins, 
Rev.  AVilliam  Harris,  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart. — From  Nexv  Jersey, 
Rev.  Dr.  Uzal  Ogden,  Rev.  Samuel  Lilly,  Col.  Samuel  Ogden. — 
From  Dclaxuare,  Rev.  William  Pryce. — From  Marylarid,  Rev. 
Dr.  James  Kemp,  Rev.  Joseph  Jackson,  Richard  Key  Heath,  Esq. 

The  house  not  judging  it  expedient  to  do  business  the  first  day 
ot  the  session,  adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  9  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  12,  1804,  9  o'' clock,  A.  M. 

The  House  met. 

The  testimonials  of  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania  were  read  and  approved  of.  And  General 
Francis  Gurney,  Thomas  Cumpston,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Levi  Bull, 
Lay  Deputies  from  the  state  of  Pennsylvania ;  the  Rev.  John 
Croes,  Clerical  Deputy  from  New  Jersey ;  the  Rev.  Joseph  G. 
J.  Bend,  D.  D.  Clerical  Deputy,  and  William  Helmsley,  jun. 
Esq.  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Mar\'htnd  ;  and  Nathan  Smith, 
Esq.  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Connecticut,  appeared  and 
took  their  seats  in  the  house. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  house  of  Bishops,  informing  them 
that  this  house  was  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

The  house  of  Bishops  returned  for  answer,  that  they  also  were 
organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 


216 

The  rules  of  order  established  by  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay- 
Deputies  of  the  Convention  of  1792,  and  the  following  Conven- 
tions, were  adopttid  as  the  rules  of  order  of  this  house,  uith  the 
following  addition  to  the  6th  rule — "  unless  with  the  consent  of 
two-thirds  of  the  house." 

The  record  of  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Parker  to 
the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
state  of  Massachusetts,  and  also  the  requisite  testimony  from  the 
Convention  of  the  church  in  that  state,  were  presented  and  read ; 

Whereupon  it  was  unanvnouslif  Resolved^  That  the  house  do 
sign,  in  favour  of  the  Kev.  Dr.  Parker,  the  testimony  required  by 
the  canons  in  the  election  of  a  Bishop.  The  testimony  was  accord- 
ingly signed,  and,  together  with  the  testimony  from  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  church  in  Massachusetts,  was  laid  before  the  house  of 
Bishops. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  hours  of  meeting  each  day  shall 
be  from  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M.  and  notice  of 
this  resolution  was  transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house  that  they  had  approved  the  testimonies  in  iavourof  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  Bishop  elect  of  this  church  in  the  state  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  that  they  had  appointed  Friday  morning  for  his 
consecration.  They  also  informed  this  house,  that  they  concurred 
in  the  resolution  relative  to  the  hours  of  meeting. 

The  house  then  attended  divine  service  in  Trinity  Church, 
where  prayers  were  read  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  and 
a  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  Convention,  de- 
livered by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore. 

The  house  having  returned  after  divine  service  to  their  place  of 
sitting. 

On  motion,  it  was  iinanhnously  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of 
the  Convention  be  returned  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  for 
his  sermon  preached  before  the  Convention  this  day,  and  that  he 
be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  for  publication.  The  house  of  Bi- 
shops concurred  in  the  above  resolution,  and  informed  this  house 
that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  had  consented  to  furnish  a  copy 
pf  his  sermon  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

The  house  then  took  up  and  agreed  to  the  alteration  proposed 
at  the  last  General  Convention,  in  the  1st  article  of  the  general 
constitution,  in  the  words  following,  viz : 

Art.  I.  "  There  shall  be  a  Generul  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  in  May,  1808,  and  in  every  third  year,"  &c.   as  before. 

Information  pf  the  above  ratification  of  the  proposed  alteration 
in  the  constitution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  who  return- 
ed for  answer,  that  they  concurred  in  the  same. 

The  following  resolution  was  moved  and  seconded,  viz : 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  enquire,  whether 
any  and  what  alterations  of,   or  additions  to,  the   canons  of  the 


217 

church  are  necessary,  and  to  report.  The  question  being  taken  on 
the  above  resolution,  it  was  determined  in  the  negative. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Thursdaij,  Sept.  13,  1804,  9  o'clock,  A.M. 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Blackwell,  and  Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson, 
Clerical  Deputies  from  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  ;  Andrew  Hil- 
liar,  Esq.  a  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Connecticut ;  and  Wil- 
liam Ogden,  Esq.  a  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  New  York,  ap- 
peared and  took  their  seats  in  the  house. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  pre- 
pare an  office  of  induction  into  the  rectorship  of  parishes.  The 
following  members  were  appointed  a  committee  :  Rev.  Dr.  Par- 
ker, Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  Rev-  Mr.  Harris,  Rev.  Dr.  Ogden,  Rev., 
Dr.  Blackwell,  Rev.  Mr.  Price,  Rev.  Dr.  Bend. 

A  proposed  canon  concerning  dioceses  was  taken  up  and  consi- 
dered, and  the  question  being  taken  thereon,  is  was  determined 
in  the  negative. 

The  following  proposed  canons,  viz :  A  canon  concerning  mi- 
nisters moving  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another ;  a  canon 
making  an  addition  to  the  17th  canon  of  1789,  entitled,  "  Notice 
to  be  given  of  the  induction  and  dismission  of  ministers  ;"  a  ca- 
non altering  the  7th  canon  of  1795;  and  a  canon  repealing  the 
2d  canon  of  1801,  which  limits  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of 
1795  ;  were  passed,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their 
concurrence. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Friday,  Sept.  14:,  1804,  9  o'clock,  A.M. 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  office  of  induction,  re- 
ported an  office ;  and  the  house,  after  having  entered  on  the  con- 
sideration of  the  same,  proceeded  to  attend  divine  service  in  Tri- 
nity Church,  on  the  occasion  of  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Parker,  Bishop  elect  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
state  of  Massachusetts. 

Prayers  were  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  and  a  sermon  deli- 
vered by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White ;  who,  assisted  by  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  of  Maryland ;  the  Right  Rev.  Bi- 
shop Jarvis,  of  Connecticut ;  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore, 
of  New  York ;  performed  the  office  of  consecration. 

After  divine  service  the  house  returned  to  their  place  of  sitting. 

On  motion,  it  was  unanimously  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of 
this  house  be  returned  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  for  the 
sermon  delivered  at  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  for  publication. 

F  f 


218 

The  above  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  who 
returned  it  with  their  concurrence,  and  informed  the  house,  that 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  had  consented  to  furnish  a  copy  of 
his  sermon  for  pubh cation. 

The  house  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  office  of  induction; 
and  having  made  progress  in  the  same,  adjourned. 

Saturday y  Sept.  15,  1804,  nine  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaphiin  to  the  house. 

'Ihe  house  finished  the  consideration  of  the  office  of  induction; 
and  having  agreed  to  the  same,  sent  it  to  the  House  of  Bishops 
for  their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house  that  they  proposed  a  substitute  to  the  canon  concerning 
Ministers  moving  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another;  that  they 
did  not  concur  in  the  canon  altering  the  7th  canon  of  1795  ;  and 
that  they  proposed  a  substitute  to  the  canon  repealing  the  2d  ca- 
non of  1801,  which  limits  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795. 

The  house  agreed  to  the  substitute  proposed  by  the  House  of 
Bishops,  to  the  :  anon  concerning  Ministers  moving  from  one  di- 
ocese or  state  to  another,  with  an  amendment,  which  was  sent  to 
the  House  ot  Bishops,  and  adopted  by  them. 

The  house  took  up  the  consideration  of  the  substitute  proposed 
by  the  house  of  Bishops  to  the  canon  repealing  the  2d  canon  of 
1801,  which  limits  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795;  and 
the  question  being  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  same,  it  was  determin- 
ed in  the  negative. 

A  memorial  was  presented  from  the  vestry  of  Trinity  church, 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  stating  that  a  very  unhappy  difference, 
which  appears  to  threaten  the  very  existence  of  their  church,  sub- 
sists between  tne  rector  and  the  congregation  of  said  church,  and 
praying  the  Convention  to  devise  some  means  for  their  relief.  The 
above  memorial  was  referred  to  the  following  committee  to  report 
thereon.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Rev.  Mr.  Haskell,  Rev.  Mr. 
Branson,  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  Rev.  Mr.  Price,  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp, 
WUliam  Ogden,  Thomas  Cumpston,  and  Richard  K.  Heath, 
Esqrs. 

The  following  canons,  viz.  a  canon  additional  to  the  6th  canon 
of  1795,  and  a  canon  hmiting  the  operation  of  the  6th  canon  of 
1795,  were  sent  from  the  House  of  Bishops.  The  first  canon  was 
read  and  concurred  in  by  this  house. 

The  office  of  induction  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops 
with  amendments,  which  were  adopted  by  this  house. 

Leave  of  absence  was  granted  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lilly,  and  An- 
drew Hilliar  and  Nathan  Smith,  Esqrs.  during  the  remainder  of 
the  session. 

A  proposed  canon  concerning  Lay  Readers  was  adopted  and 
sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  who  returned  it  with  their  concur- 
rence. 


219 

A  proposed  canon  was  adopted,  entitled,  a  canon  providing  for 
an  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  church  fro.n  time  to  time^ 
and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Monday^  Sept.  17,  1804,  nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  house  met. 

Prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as  Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  memorial  from  Trinity  church, 
Ne\\rwrk,  New  Jersey,  made  report : — on  motion,  the  report  was 
recommitted  to  the  same  committee. 

The  house  adopted  a  proposed  substitute  to  the  canon  sent  from 
the  House  of  Bishops,  limiting  the  operation  of  the  6th  canon  o£ 
1795,  and  sent  it  to  the  house  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

Leave  of  absence  for  the  remainder  of  the  session  was  granted 
to  Richard  K.  Heath,  Esq.  • 

A  proposed  canon  was  adopted  concerning  candidates  coming 
from  places  wtihin  the  United  States,  in  which  the  constitution  of 
the  church  has  not  been  acceded  to.  A  proposed  canon  was  also 
adopted,  respecting  the  dissolution  of  all  pastoral  connection  be- 
tween Ministers  and  their  congregations. 

The  above  canons  were  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops: 

"  The  House  of  Bishops  communicate  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  the  following  extract  from  their  journal. 

*  The  papers  presented  to  this  house,  by  the  president,  from 
the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  of  Connecticut,  requesting  their  attention 
to  sundry  matters  affecting  his  standing  in  the  church,  and  his 
private  character,  were  taken  into  consideration  ;  whereupon, 

*  Resolved,  That  there  be  declared  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  the  desire  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  that,  if  any 
members  of  that  house  possess  information  respecting  the  conduct 
of  said  Ammi  Rogers,  in  the  matters  brought  before  the  House 
of  Bishops,  which  matters  will  be  communicated  by  the  Bishops 
to  any  members  of  the  house  aforesaid  who  may  desire  it,  such 
members  will  lay  before  the  house  of  Bishops  the  information 
possessed  by  them  at  twelve  o'clock." 

Whereupon  the  house  Resolved,  That  any  members  who  may 
have  any  thing  to  communicate  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  on  the 
subject  of  the  above  message,  have  leave  to  withdraw  at  the  hour 
mentioned. 

The  House  of  Bishops  also  informed  this  house,  that  they  had 
concurred  in  the  following  canons,  viz.  a  canon  providing  for  an 
accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  church  from  time  to  time  ;  and  the 
proposed  substitute  to  the  canon  limiting  the  operation  of  the  6th 
canon  of  1795  ;  and  the  canon  concerning  candidates  coming  trom 
places  within  the  United  States  which  have  not  acceded  to  the 
constitution  of  the  church :  and  that  they  proposed  to  connect  the 
canon  respecting  the  dissolution  of  all  pastoral  connection  between 


220 

Ministers  and  their  congregations,  with  the  canon  making  an  ad- 
diiion  to  the  17th  canon  of  1789;  in  which  proposition  the  house 
concurred. 

A  proposed  canon  respecting  differences  between  Ministers  and 
their  congregations  was  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops 
for  thf  ir  concurrence. 

A  canon  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  entitled, 
*'  Notice  to  be  given  of  the  election  of  Ministers ;"  which  was 
agreed  to  with  amendments,  and  the  change  of  the  title  to,  '♦Ca- 
non conceining  the  election  and  induction  of  Ministers  into  parish- 
es or  churches." 

A  proposed  canon  concerning  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign 
Bishops  nnd  desirous  of  settling  in  this  church,  was  adopted,  and 
sent  to  th^  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

On  moiion,  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  Convention  to 
report  such  additional  hymns  as  they  may  think  are  adapted  to 
christian  worship-  was  discharged. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  Sept,  18,  1804,  nine  oWock^  A,  31, 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaplain  to  the  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  stating  that 
they  disagreed  to  the  amendments  to  the  canon  concerning  the 
election  and  induction  of  Ministers  into  parishes  or  churches,  and 
request  a  conference  on  the  subject;  that  they  had  negatived  the 
canon  concerning  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign  Bishops;  and 
that  they  had  passed  the  canon  respecting  differences  between 
Ministers  and  their  congregations,  with  amendments. 

The  house  agreed  to  the  amendments  of  the  House  of  Bishops 
to  the  last  mentioned  canon,  and  to  the  conference  requested. 

Rt;solved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  be  a  committee  to  manage  the  conference  on 
the  part  of  this  house  ;  and  that,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  House 
of  Bishops,  they  make  the  proposed  canon  concerning  foreign 
Clergymen  a  subject  of  the  conference. 

The  commitiec  withdrew,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  was  request- 
ed to  officiate  in  the  Secretary's  stead  during  his  absence. 

The  committee  on  the  memorial  of  Trinity  church,  Newark, 
made  the  following  report : 

"•  The  committee  on  the  memorial  of  the  vestry  of  Trinity 
Church,  Newark,  whose  report  was  yesterday  recommitted  to 
them,  made  report,  that  as  this  Convention  have  passed  a  canon 
providing  for  such  cases  as  that  of  the  vestry  of  said  church,  the 
committee  think  it  unnecessary  that  this  house  should  go  into  an 
investigation  of  the  affair." 

This  report  was  agreed  to  by  the  house. 

Resolved,  That  1000  copies  of  the  journals,  1000  copies  of  the 
office  of  induction,  and  lOOO  copies  of  each  of  the  sermons  preach- 
ed before  the  Convention,  be  published. 


221 

The  President,  Secretary,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harris  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore,  to  publish  the  Journals.  The  House  of  Bishops  concur- 
red in  the  appointment  of  this  committee. 

The  house  took  into  consideration  the  place  at  which  the  next 
meeting  of  the  General  Convention  should  be  held ;  and  unani- 
mously dctetermined  that  the  meeting  should  be  at  Baltimore. 

It  was  moved  and  seconded,  that  those  parts  of  the  minutes 
which  respect  the  petition  from  Trinity  church,  Newark,  be  ex- 
punged. 

Resolved  unanimously^  That  they  be  not  expunged. 

Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Parker  be  requested  to 
preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next  General  Convention. 

The  committee  of  conference  returned,  and  reported,  that  the 
House  of  Bishops  had  receded  from  their  negative  to  the  amend- 
ments proposed  by  this  house  to  the  canon  concerning  the  elec- 
tion and  induction  of  ministers  into  parishes  or  churches,  and  pr<t- 
posed  another  amendment;  which  amendment  was  agreed  to  by 
this  house  :  and  also  that  they  receded  from  their  negntive  to  the 
canon  concerning  clergymen  ordained  b}  foreign  Bishops,  and 
proposed  a  substitute ;   which  was  agreed  to  by  this  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing, 
that  they  had  established  a  course  of  study  for  candidates  for  or- 
ders, which  will  be  published  with  their  Journal. 

A  proposed  canon,  concerning  the  studies  of  candidates  for  or- 
ders, was  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their 
concurrence. 

A  proposed  canon,  concerning  subscription  to  the  articles  of 
the  church,  was  negatived,  under  the  impression  that  a  sufficient 
subscription  to  the  articles  is  already  required  by  the  7th  article  of 
the  constitution. 

A  proposed  canon,  concerning  candidates  who  may  be  refused 
orders,  was  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their 
concurrence. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  different 
State  Conventions,  that  it  is  proposed  in  the  next  General  Con- 
vention, to  consider  and  determine  on  the  following  proposed  al- 
teration to  the  gent- ral  constitution  of  the  church,  viz  :  that  in 
article  III,  the  words  ■'  unless  adhered  to  by  four-fifths  of  the 
other  house,"  be  struck  out. 

The  above  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  concerning  the  arrangement  and  pub- 
lication of  the  constitution  and  all  the  canons  of  the  church,  and 
sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  that  they 
had  agreed  to  the  resolution  respecting  a  proposed  alteration  in  the 
constitution ;  to  the  canon  concerning  candidates  who  may  be  re- 
fused orders ;  to  the  resolutions  concerning  printing  the  journals, 
office   of  induction,  and    sermons;  and  that  they  proposed   an 


222 

amendment  to  the  resolution  concerning  the  arrangement  and  pub- 
lication of  the  constitution  and  all  the  canons  of  the  church; 
which  amendment  was  agreed  to,  and  the  resolution  passed  as 
follows,  viz  : 

Resolved^  That  the  committee  appointed  to  publish  the  Jour- 
nals, be  authorised  to  publish  the  constitution  and  all  the  canons 
of  the  church  in  the  order  of  their  enaction,  making  a  reference 
by  asterisk  at  the  end  of  every  canon  to  a  note  pointing  out  the 
various  other  canons  which  refer  to  the  subject  of  that  particular 
canon. 

The  constitution  and  canons  published  by  the  above  committee, 
and  the  office  of  induction,  are  to  be  considered  as  authorised  and 
standard  copies. 

The  House  of  Bishops  also  informed  this  house,  that  they  had 
negatived  the  canon  concerning  the  studies  of  candidates  ior  or- 
ders. 

*The  following  message  was  also  received  from  the  House  of 
Bishops,  viz : 

*''  The  House  of  Bishops  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
*  Lay  Deputies,  that  the  adjournment  of  the  Convention  be  accom- 
panied by  prayer,  in  the  presence  of  the  two  houses ;  the  presid- 
ing Bishop  to  officiate." 

The  house  unanimously  concurred  in  the  above  resolution. 

On  motion,  Resolved^'Vh^X.  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  returned 
to  the  President  and  Secretaiy  for  their  services. 

The  House  of  Bishops  then  attended  in  the  chamber  of  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  when  prayers  were  read  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  as  presiding  IJishop, 

The  house  rose. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies y 

ABRAHAM  BEACH,  President. 
John  Henry  Hobart,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS, 

New  York,  Sept.  11,  1804. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  GeHe- 
ral  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  attended  in  Tri- 
nity Church  ;  no  other  members  of  this  house  appearing,  adjourn- 
ed till  to-morrov/  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  to  meet  in  the  house  of 
the  Episcopal  Charity  School. 

Wednesday^  Sept.  12,  1804,  nine  o^clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met.  Present,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  of 
Pennsylvania ;  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  of  Maryland ; 
and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  of  New  York. 


223 

Resolved^  That  it  be  a  standing  rule  of  this  house,  that  the  se- 
nior Bishop  present  at  the  opening  of  any  Convention,  shall  pre- 
side. 

The  Right  Rev,  Bishop  White,  in  consequence,  took  his  seat 
as  presiding  Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Cave  Jones  was  appointed  Secretary  to  this  house. 
The   Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  of  Connecticut,  appeared  and 
took  his  seat. 

This  house  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  informing  them  that  they  were  organized  and 
ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

This  house  returned  information  that  they  were  also  ready  for 
the  same. 

A  resolution,  communicated  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
L<ay  Deputies,  was  agreed  to  by  this  house,  "■  that  the  hours  of 
meeting,  during  the  session,  shall  be  from  9  o'clock,  A.  M-  to  3 
o'clock,  P   M." 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, the  requisite  testimonials  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  Bishop 
elect  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts. 

A  message  was  transmitted  to  the  said  house,  informing  that 
the  House  of  Bishops  approve  of  the  said  testimonials,  and  will 
proceed  to  the  consecration  of  Dr.  Parker  on  Friday  next. 
Adjourned,  to  attend  divine  service  at  Trinity  Church. 
The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  performed  service,  and  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  preached  a  sernion  adapted  to  the  oc- 
casion of  the  meeting  of  this  Convention. 

After  which,  the  house  again  met.  A  message  was  received 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  informing  that  a 
resolution  had  passed  that  house,  "  that  the  thanks  of  the  Con- 
vention be  presented  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  for  his 
sermon  preached  before  them  this  morning,  and  that  he  be  re- 
quested to  fiTnish  a  copy  for  publication." 

This  jyouse  concurred  in  the  said  resolution,  and  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Moore  consented  to  comply  with  their  request. 

Tnis  House  concurred  in  a  resolution  received  from  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  ratifying  the  alteration  of  the  first 
article  of  the  constitution,  as  proposed  at  the  last  General  Con* 
vention. 

The  house  then  adjourned. 

Thursday  ^  September  13,  1804,  nine  o'clock^  A.M. 

Present  as  yesterday. 

This  House  came  to  a  resolution  to  attend  prayers  during  the 
session,  in  the  chamber  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties.    The  house  attended  accordingly. 

The  following  proposed  canons  were  presented  from  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  viz :  "  A  canon  concerning  minis- 


224 

tcrs  removing  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another ;  a  canon  mak- 
ing an  addition  to  the  17th  canon  of  1789 ;  a  canon  repealing  the 
2d  canon  of  1801,  which  limits  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of 
1795  ;  a  canon  altering  the  7th  canon  of  1795," 

The  proposed  canon,  entided,  "  A  canon  concerning  ministers 
removing  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another,"  was  taken  into 
consideration,  and  a  substitute  was  agreed  to,  and  sent  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  then  adjourned. 

Friday^  Sept.  14,  1804,  nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Present  as  yesterday. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  that  the  said  house  was  ready  to  attend  the 
consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  when  this  house  shall  see 
proper. 

This  house  informed  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 
that  they  are  ready  to  proceed  immediately  to  the  consecration. 

The  house  then  adjourned  for  the  above  purpose. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  read  prayers,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
"White  delivered  a  sermon,  and,  as  presiding  Bishop,  performed 
the  consecration  service,  assisted  by  the  other  Bishops  present. 

The  house  again  met. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  that  the  said  house  had  come  to  a  resolution, 
"  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  presented  to  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  White  for  his  sermon  preached  before  them  this 
day,  at  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr-  Parker;  and  that  he  be 
requested  to  furnish  a  copy  for  publication." 

This  house  concurred  in  the  above  resolution  j  and  Bishop 
White  acceded  to  the  request. 

The  proposed  canon,  entitled,  "  a  canon  altering  the  7th  canon 
of  1795,"  was  taken  up,  and  negatived  by  this  house. 

The  proposed  canon,  entitled,  "  a  canon  repealing  the  2d  ca- 
non of  1801,  which  limits  the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1795," 
was  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  a 
substitute. 

A  memorial  was  laid  on  the  table  by  the  President,  from  the 
Bcv.  Ammi  Rogers,  accompanied  with  sundry  documents,  and  a 
letter,  requesting  that  a  day  may  be  appointed  for  the  considera- 
tion of  the  points  therein  stated. 

Monday  next  was  assigned  for  the  above  purpose,  and  notice 
ihereof  was  given  to  Mr.  Rogers. 

The  House  then  adjourned. 

Saturday,  September  15,  nine  o'clock,  A.M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  Bight  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  who  was  yesterday  consecrated 


225 

in  Trinity  Church,  Bishop  of  this  church  in  the  state  of  Massa- 
chusetts, took  his  seat  in  this  house. 

A  canon  was  passed,  entitled,  '*  a  canon  limiting  the  operation 
of  the  6th  canon  of  1795,"  and  was  sent  to  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies. 

A  propos-d  office  was  presented  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  entitled,  "  an  office  of  induction,'*  &c. 

A  proposed  canon  was  adopted  by  this  house,  and  sent  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  entitled,  "  a  canon  addi- 
tional to  the  6th  canou  of  1795." 

The  substitute  to  the  canon,  entitled,  "  concerning  ministers 
moving  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another,'*  which  was  sent 
from  this  house  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  was 
returned  from  said  house,  with  an  amendment,  which  was  adopt- 
ed by  this  house. 

The  proposed  office,  entitled,  "  an  office  of  induction,"  Sec.  was 
returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  amend- 
ments. 

The  canon  which  originated  in  this  house  entitled,  "  a  canon 
additional  to  the  6th  canon  of  1795,"  was  returned  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  a  message  that  it  had 
passed  that  house. 

The  proposed  substitute,  which  was  sent  by  this  house  to  the 
house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  for  the  proposed  canon,  en- 
titled, "  a  canon  repealing  the  2d  canon  of  1801,  which  limits 
the  operation  of  the  4th  canon  of  1 7^5,"  was  returned  from  that 
house,  with  a  message  that  they  did  not  concur  in  the  same. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  that  the  amendments  proposed  by  this  house 
to  the  "  office  ot  induction,"  &c.  had  been  adopted  by  that  house. 

A  proposed  canon,  entitled,  "  canon  respecting  lay  readers,'* 
was  presented  from  the  House  of  Cleric  il  and  Lay  Deputies,  and 
was  immediately  taken  up  and  passed  by  this  house. 

The  house  then  adjourned  till  Monday  morning. 

Monday,  Sept.  17,  1804,  9  o'clocL  A.  M, 

The  House  met.     Present  as  on  Saturday. 

A  proposed  canon  was  presented  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  entitled,  "  canon  providing  for  an  accurate  view 
of  the  state  of  the  church  from  time  to  time,"  which  was  imme- 
diately taken  up  and  passed. 

A  proposed  substitute  was  presented  from  the  House  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies,  to  the  canon,  entitled,  '*  canon  limiting  the 
operation  of  the  6th  canon  of  1 795,"  which  passed  this  house. 

The  papers  presented  to  this  house  by  the  President,  from  the 
Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  of  Connecticut,  ri.questmg  their  attention  to 
sundry  matters  affecting  his  standing  in  the  church,  and  his  pri- 
vate character,  were  then  taken  into  consideration. 

^Vhereupon,  Resolved,  That  there  be  declared  to  the  house  of 

G  g 


226 

Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  the  desire  of  the  house  of  Bishops, 
that  if  any  members  of  that  house  possess  information  respecting 
the  conduct  of  the  said  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  in  the  matters  brought 
before  the  house  of  Bishops,  which  matters  will  be  communicated 
by  the  house  of  Bishops  to  any  members  of  the  house  aforesaid 
who  may  desire  it,  such  members  will  lay  before  the  house  of  Bi- 
shops the  information  possessed  by  them  at  12  o'clock. 

Resolved^  That  information  of  the  above  message  be  communi- 
cated to  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  in  order  that,  if  he  have  any 
further  matters  to  lay  before  the  house  of  Bishops,  the  same  may 
be  done  at  the  said  hour. 

The  information  required  in  the  above  resolution  was  accord- 
ingly communicated. 

A  proposed  canon  was  presented  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and 
liay  Deputies,  entitled,  "  canon  of  candidates  coming  from  places 
within  the  United  States  in  which  the  constitution  of  this  church 
has  not  been  acceded  to  ;"  which  canon  passed  this  house. 

This  house  received  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties a  proposed  canon,  entitled,  '*  canon  respecting  the  dissolu- 
tion of  all  pastoral  connection  between  ministers  and  congrega- 
tions ;"  \yhich  was  taken  into  consideration.  Also,  the  proposed 
canon  presented  on  Thursday  last,  entitled,  "  canon  making  ad- 
dition to  the  17th  canon  of  1789,'*  was  taken  up. 

These  two  canons  passed  this  house  with  amendments,  and  an 
incorporation  of  both  into  one  canon. 

A  proposed  canon,  entitled,  "  notice  to  be  given  of  the  election 
of  ministers,"  passed  this  house. 

Agreeably  to  the  resolution  of  the  last  General  Convention,  this 
house  considered  and  established  a  course  of  ecclesiastical  stu- 
dies for  candidates  for  holy  orders. 

Txvelve  o'clock*  d 

The  clerical  members  from  the  state  of  Connecticut  were  ad- 
mitted to  a  hearing  on  the  subject  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers ; 
when  Mr.  Rogers  was  also  called  in. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin  asked  for  leave  to  make  a  statement  of 
the  case;  which  was  granted. 

Documents  on  both  sides  were  then  read,  and  a  hearing  was 
given  to  the  parties  concerned. 

While  the  subject  of  Mr.  Rogers  was  under  consideration,  se- 
veral canons  were  presented  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  as  follow. 

"  A  canon  respecting  differences  between  ministers  and  their 
congregations ;"  proposed. 

"  Canon  respecting  the  dissolution  of  all  pastoral  connection 
between  ministers  and  congregations ;"  and,  "  canon  making  ad- 
dition to  the  17th  canon  of  1789;"  passed  the  house  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  with  amendments,  and  an  incorporation  into 
one  canon,  as  proposed  by  this  house. 


227 

*'  Notice  to  be  given  of  the  election  of  Ministers ;"  returned 
with  amendments,  and  an  alteration  of  the  title. 

"  Of  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign  Bishops,  and  desirous  of 
settling  in  this  church  ;"  proposed. 

The  house  then  adjourned  till  seven  o'clock  P.  M. 

Seven  o'clock,  P,  M. 

The  amendments  to  the  canon  entitled,  *'  Notice  to  be  given  of 
the  election  of  Ministers,"  were  considered,  and  not  agreed  to ; 
and  a  conference  th^eupon  was  requested. 

The  canon  "  respecting  differences  between  Ministers  and  their 
congregations,"  was  passed  with  an  amendment. 

The  canon,  "  Of  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign  Bishops,  and 
desirous  of  settling  m  this  church,"  was  negatived. 

The  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  appeared,  and  asked  permission  to  see 
one  of  the  papers  presented  to  this  house  by  the  Clerical  Depu- 
ties from  Connecticut.     Whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  nothing  shall  be  done  in  the  business  except  in 
the  presence  of  both  parties. 

Bishop  Claggett  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

The  house  then  adjourned,  till  to  morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Tuesday,  Sept.  18,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  house  met.   Present  as  yesterday,  except  Bishop  Claggett, 

A  message  was  delivered  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  that  the  said  House  had  agreed  to  the  con- 
ference requested  on  the  amendments  to  the  canon,  entitled,  "  No- 
tice to  be  given  of  the  election  of  Ministers."  This  house  agreed 
to  enter  immediately  on  the  business. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Blackwell,  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Ho- 
bart,  appeared  as  a  committee  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  to  enter  upon  the  conference  proposed.  After  which 
confer«nce,  this  house  receded  from  their  non-concurrence,  on 
condition  of  a  small  additional  amendment. 

A  conference  was  then  proposed  by  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  on  the  canon,  entitled,  "  Of  Clergymen  ordained 
by  foreign  Bishops,"  Sec.  which  canon  was  negatived  by  this  house. 
The  conference  was  assented  to  j  and  the  aforementioned  gentle- 
men appeared  as  a  committee  from  the  house  on  the  subject. 
ArVhereupon  a  substitute  was  proposed  by  this  house,  and  sent  by 
the  above  committee. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 
informing  that,  agreeably  to  a  requisition  of  the  last  General  Con- 
vention, this  house  have  prepared  a  course  of  ecclesiastical  stu- 
di€s;  which  they  intend  to  publish  with  their  journals. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Shelton  appeared,  and  asked  permission  to  lay 
further  testimony  before  the  house  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Ammi 
Rogers. 

Leave  was  given,  on  condition  that  Mr,  Rogers  be  also  informed. 


228 

Both  parties  were  then  introduced,  and  further  hearing  was 
given  them. 

A  proposed  canon  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  deputies,  entided,  "  Of  candidates  who  may  be  refused 
orders,"  which  was  passed. 

Also  a  proposed  canon,  entitled,  "  Concerning  the  studies  of 
candidates  for  orders  j"  which  was  negatived. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  in  the  following  words:  *' The  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  have  acceded  to  the  amendment  proposed  by  the 
House  of  Bishops  to  the  canon  *  respecting  differences  between 
Ministers  and  their  congregations ;'  and  have  agreed  to  the  sub- 
stitute for  the  canon  *  concerning  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign 
Bishops;'  and  to  the  amendment  to  the  canon,  entitled,  '  Canon 
concerning  the  election  and  induction  of  Ministers  into  parishes 
or  churches.'* 

Also  a  message  was  received,  informing  that  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies  have  agreed  to  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  different  state  Con- 
ventions, that  it  is  proposed  in  the  next  General  Convention  to 
consider  and  determine  on  the  followmg  proposed  alteration  to 
the  general  constitution  of  the  church  j  that  in  Art.  III.  the  fol- 
lowing words  be  stricken  out,  *'  unless  adhered  to  by  four-fifths 
of  the  other  house." 

The  above  resolution  was  concurred  in  by  this  house. 
Another  resolution  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  in  the  following  words : 

"  Resolved^  That  the  committee  appointed  to  publish  the  jour- 
nals be  authorized  to  publish  the  constitution  and  all  the  canons 
of  the  church  in  the  order  of  their  enaction,  noting  at  the  end  of 
each  canon  the  various  other  canons  which  refer  to  the  subject  of 
that  particular  canon." 

An  amendment  was  proposed  and  carried  in  this  House,  to 
strike  out  from  the  word  "noting,"  and  insert  the  following 
words  :  "  making  a  reference  by  asterisk  at  the  end  of  every  ca- 
non to  a  note  pointing  out  the  various  other  canons  which  refer 
to  the  subject  of  that  particular  canon." 

This  amendment  was  concurred  in  by  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies. 

A  message  was  received  in  the  following  words : 
"  The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  request  the  concur- 
rence of  the  House  of  Bishops,  to  a  resolution  for  printing  lOCX) 
copies  of  the  journals,  1000  copies  of  the  office  of  induction,  and 
1000  copies  of  each  of  the  sermons  preached  before  the  Conven- 
tion ;  a  resolution  appointing  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  the  Rev.  Mn 
Harris,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  in  conjunction  with  Bishop 
Moore,  to  arrange  the  canons  of  this  church  ;  a  resolution  unani- 
mously passed  by  the  house,  that  the  General  Convention  meet 
next  atBaltimore;  and  a  resolution  that  Bishop  Parker  be  re- 
quested to  preach  at  the  opening  of  the  next  General  Convention, 


229 

*'  The  house  also  inform  the  House  of  Bishops,  that  it  is  their 
wish,  if  possible,  that  an  adjournment  of  the  Convention  should 
take  place  this  morning" 

This  house  concurred  in  these  several  resolutions. 

On  motion  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  Resolved^  That  it 
be  proposed  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the 
adjournment  of  the  Convention  be  accompanied  by  prayer,  in  the 
presence  of  the  two  houses  ;  the  presiding  Bishop  to  officiate." 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  sent  their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing  that  said  house  are  ready  to  adjourn. 

The  house  then  attended  prayers  in  the  chamber  of  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

This  house  adjourned  to  meet  at  Bishop  Moore's  i^t  seven 
o'clock,  P.  M. 

Seven  o\lock^  P.  M. 

The  House  of  Bishops  met  at  Bishop  Moore's  dwelling. 

Present.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore,  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Parker. 

The  house  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  matters  brought 
before  them  by  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  and  came  to  the  follow- 
ing determination  concerning  the  same  : 

After  full  inquiry,  and  fair  examination  of  all  the  evidence  that 
could  be  procured,  it  appears  to  this  house,  that  the  said  Ammi 
Rogers  had  produced  to  the  standing  committee  of  New  York 
(upon  the  strength  of  which  he  obtained  holy  orders)  a  certificate, 
signed  with  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Philo  Perry,  which  certificate 
was  not  written  nor  signed  by  him. 

That  the  conduct  of  the  said  Ammi  Rogers  in  the  state  of 
Connecticut,  during  his  residence  in  that  state,  since  he  left  New 
York,  has  been  insulting,  refractory,  and  schismatical  in  the  high- 
est degree ;  and,  were  it  tolerated,  would  prove  subversive  of  all 
order  and  discipline  in  the  church  j  and  that  the  statement  which 
he  made  in  justification  of  his  conduct,  was  a  mere  tissue  of  equi- 
vocation and  evasion,  and,  of  course,  served  rather  to  defeat  than 
to  establish  his  purpose. 

Therefore,  this  house  do  approve  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
church  in  Connecticut,  in  reproving  the  said  Ammi  Rogers,  and 
prohibiting  him  from  the  performance  of  any  ministerial  duties 
within  that  diocese  j  and,  moreover,  are  of  opinion,  that  he  de- 
serves a  severe  ecclesiastical  censure,  that  of  degradation  from  the 
Ministry, 

In  regard  to  the  question.  To  what  authority  is  Mr.  Rogers 
amenable?  this  house  are  sensible,  that  here  not  having  been 
previously  to  the  present  Convention,  any  sufficient  provision  for 
a  case  of  a  Clergyman  removing  from  one  diocese  to  another,  it 
might  easily  happen,  thu  different  sentiments  would  arise  as  to 
this  point.  We  are  of  opinion,  that  Mr.  Rogers'  residence  being 
in  Connecticut,  it  is  to  the  authority  of  that  diocese  he  is  exclu- 


230 

sively  amenable.  But  as  the  imposition  practised  with  a  view  to 
the  ministry  was  in  New  York,  we  recommend  to  the  Bishop  and 
standing  committee  of  that  state,  to  send  to  the  Bishop  in  Con- 
necticut such  documents,  duly  attested,  of  the  measure  referred 
to,  as  will  be  a  ground  of  procedure  in  that  particular. 

We  further  direct  the  Secretary  to  deliver  a  copy  of  the  above, 
to  the  Clerical  Deputies  from  Connecticut,  and  another  copy  to 
the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers.  And  we  further  direct,  that  either  of 
the  aforesaid  parties  be  permitted  to  have  any  documents  respect- 
ively delivered  in  by  them,  a  copy  of  it  being  first  taken;  except 
the  petition  and  affidavit  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  of  which  he 
may  have  a  copy  if  desired,  as  may  either  of  the  parties  have  of 
any  document  delivered  by  the  other  party. 

Resolved^  That  the  thahks  of  this  house  be  given  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Jones,  for  his  services  as  Secretary. 

The  House  rose. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 

Attest,     Cave  Jones,  Secretary.    H.  B. 


Course  of  Ecclesiastical  StudUs,  established  by  the  House  of  Bishops  in 

the  Convention  o/1804,  in  •pursuance  of  a  Resolution  of  the  preceding 

General  Convention. 
IN  attending  to  this  subject,  a  considerable  difficulty  occurs,  aris- 
ing out  of  the  ditference  of  the  circumstances  of  students,  in  regard  not 
only  to  intellectual  endowments  and  preparatory  knowledge  of  langua- 
ges and  science  ;  but  to  access  to  authors,  and  time  to  be  devoted  to  a 
preparation  for  the  ministry.  For  ia  accommodating  to  those  whose 
means  are  slender,  we  are  in  danger  of  derogating  from  the  importance 
of  religious  knowledge;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  although  we  should 
demand  all  that  is  desirable,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  content  ourselves, 
in  some  cases,  with  what  is  barely  necessary. 

In  consideration  of  the  above,  it  will  be  expedient  to  set  down  such  a 
course  of  study,  as  is  accommodated  to  a  moderate  portion  of  time  and 
means ;  and  afterwards  to  suggest  provision,  as  well  for  a  more  limited 
as  for  a  more  enlarged  share  of  both. 

Let  the  student  be  required  to  begin  with  some  books  in  proof  of  the 
divine  authority  of  Christianity ;  such  as  Grotius  on  the  Truth  of  the 
Christian  Rdigion ;  Jenkins  on  the  Reasonableness  of  Christianity  ;  Pa- 
ley's  Evidences  ;  Lesly's  Methods  with  the  Jews  and  Deists ;  Stilling- 
fleet's  Origines  Sacrce  ;  and  Butler's  Analogy.  To  che  above  should  be 
added  some  books  which  give  a  knowledge  of  the  objections  made  by 
Deists.  For  this,  Leiand's  View  may  be  sufficient;  except  that  it  should 
be  followed  by  answers  to  deistical  writers  since  Leland,  whose  works 
and  the  answers  to  them  may  be  supposed  known  to  the  student.  It 
would  be  best,  if  circumstances  permit,  that  he  should  read  what  the 
Deists  themselves  have  written. 

After  the  books  in  proof  of  revelation,  let  the  student,  previously  to 
the  reading  of  any  system  of  divinity,  study  the  Scriptures  with  the  help 


231 

of  some  approved  Commenlalors ;  such  as  Patrick  and  Lowth  on  the 
Old  Testament,  and  Hammond,  or  Whitby,  or  Doddridge  on  the  New  : 
being  aware,  in  regard  to  the  last  mentioned  author,  of  the  points  on 
which  he  differs  from  our  Church,  although  it  be  with  moderation  and 
candour.  During  such  his  study  of  the  scriplures,  let  him  read  some 
work  or  works  whicli  give  an  account  of  the  design  of  the  different 
books,  and  the gi'ounds  on  which  their  respective  authority  is  asserted; 
for  instance,  Father  Simon's  Canon  of  Scripture,  Collier's  Saacd  In- 
terpreter, Gray's  Key  to  the  Old  Testament,  and  Percy's  Key  to  the 
New.  Let  the  student  read  the  scriptures  over  and  over,  referring  to 
his  commentators  as  need  may  re(iuire,  until  he  can  give  an  account  of 
the  design  and  character  of  each  book,  and  explain  the  more  difficult 
jyassages  of  it.  He  is  supposed  to  know  enough  of  Profane  History,  to 
give  an  account  of  that  also,  whenever  it  mixes  with  the  Sacred.  There 
are  certain  important  subjects  which  may  be  profitably  attended  to,  as 
matters  of  distinct  study,  during  the  course  of  the  general  study  of  scrip- 
ture. For  instance  ;  the  student  having  proceeded  as  far  As  the  Deluge, 
may  read  some  author  who  gives  a  larger  accovd  than  the  commenta- 
tors, of  the  particulars  attached  to  that  crisis;  ati  also  the  principles  oh 
which  are  founded  the  different  systems  of  Chronology :  all  which  will 
be  found  clearly  done  in  the  Universal  History.  In  reading  the  book  of 
Leviticus,  it  will  be  useful  to  attend  to  some  connected  scheme  of  the 
sacrifices  ;  such  as  is  exhibited  by  Bishop  Kidder  in  his  Introduction  to 
the  Pentateuch,  and  by  Mr.  Joseph  Mede  in  some  of  his  discourses.  A 
more  full  and  interesting  interpretation  of  the  Prophecies  than  can  be  ex- 
pected from  the  commentators,  will  be  desirable  ,  and  for  this  purpose 
kt  Bishop  Newton's  IVork  be  taken.  Between  the  study  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tameni  and  that  of  the  New,  should  be  read  Prideaux  and  Shuckford'e 
Connections.  With  the  New  Testament  should  be  taken  some  book  re- 
lating; to  the  Harmony  of  the  Gospels,  as  M'Knight's  orBishopNewcome's. 
Let  tiie  student,  b'^fore  entering  on  the  Gospels,  read  Dr.  Campbell's 
Introduclory  Disserialions.  Towards  the  close  of  the  Gospels,  the  sub- 
ject of  tlie  Resurrection  should  be  particularly  attended  to ;  for  which 
purpose  let  there  be  taken  either  Mr.  West  on  the  subject,  or  Bishop 
Sherlock's  Trial  of  the  Witnesses. 

After  the  study  of  the  scriptures,  let  attention  be  given  to  Ecclesiasti- 
cal History,  so  far  as  to  the  Council  of  Nice.  This  period  is  distinctly 
taken,  from  a  desire  that  the  portion  of  history  preceding  it,  as  well  as 
the  opinions  then  entertained,  may  be  learned  from  original  writers  ; 
which  may  be  considered  as  one  of  the  best  expedients  for  the  guarding 
of  the  student  against  many  errors  of  modern  times.  The  writers  of  that 
interval  are  not  numerous  or  bulky.  Eusebius  is  soon  read  through ; 
and  so  are  the  Apostolic  Fathers.  Even  the  other  writers  are  not  volu- 
minous, except  Origen,  the  greater  part  of  whose  works  may  be  passe 
over.  The  dpostolic  Fathers  may  be  best  read  in  Coteierius's  edition  ; 
but  there  are  translations  of  most  of  them  by  Archbishop  Wake,  and  the 
Rev.  William  Reeves.  Cave's  Lives  of  the  Apostles  and  Fathers  may 
be  prnfitably  read  at  this  period. 

This  stage  of  the  student's  progress  seems  the  most  proper  for  the 
study  oUhe  two  questions,  of  our  Lord's  Divinity,  and  of  Episcopacy. 
The  aspect  oi early  works  on  these  subjects,  best  enables  us  to  ascertain 
in  what  shape  they  appeared  to  the  respective  writers.  And  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  suppose,  on  the  ground  of  what  we  know  of  human  nature,  that, 


232 

during  the  first  three  centuries,  either  the  character  of  Christ  should  have 
been  conceived  of  as  materially  different  from  what  ha<i  been  the  repre- 
sentation of  it  by  the  first  teachers  of  our  religion  ;  or,  that  there  should 
have  been  a  mateiial  chamge  o^  church  gove/nment,  without  o|)position 
to  the  innovation.  For  the  former  question,  let  the  works  of  Bishop 
Bull  and  the  Rev.  Charles  Lesly  be  taken;  to  which  may  well  be  ad- 
ded the  late  controversy  between  Bishop  Korsley  and  Dr.  Priestley  ; 
and  for  the  latter,  Mr.  Hooker's  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  Archbishop  Pot- 
ter on  Church  Government,  and  Daubeny's  Guide  to  the  Church.  As 
the  Lord  Chancellor  King  published  a  book  on  the  discipline  of  the  pri- 
mitive Church,  in  which  he  has  rested  Episcopacy  on  insufficient 
grounds,  unwarily  admitted  by  many  on  his  authority ;  let  the  student 
read  his  book,  and  the  refutation  of  it  in  Mr.  Slater's  Original  draft  of 
the  primitive  Church. 

After  this,  let  the  student  go  on  with  the  History  of  the  Fourth  Cen- 
tury, from  Mosheim.  But  it  will  be  of  advantage  to  him  to  turn  to 
Fleury's  History  ior  the  Epitomies  there  given  of  the  writings  of  the  em- 
inent men  who  abounded  in  that  century  and  part  of  the  next.  Let  him 
then  return  to  Mosheim,  and  go  on  with  that  writer  to  the  Reformation. 
Here  let  him  pause  and  study,  as  the  main  hinges  of  Popery,  its  preten- 
ces to  supretjiacy  and  infallibility  ;  on  which  there  will  be  found  satis- 
factory matter  in  Mr.  Chillingworth's  Religion  of  Protestants,  a  safe  way 
to  Salvation,  and  i3r.  Barrow's  Treatise  of  the  Pope's  supremacy.  Here 
also  let  there  be  read  Father  Paul's  History  of  the  Council  of  Trent: 
Then  let  the  student  resume  Mosheim.  But  it  will  be  best,  if,  for  a 
more  minute  knowledge  of  the  History  of  the  Church  of  England  since 
the  Reformation,  he  take  along  with  him  Collier's  History  ;  a  very  able 
work ;  but  in  the  reading  of  which  some  allowance  must  be  made  for 
peculiar  prejudices.  On  coming,  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  to  the  ques- 
tions which  arose  between  the  Divines  of  the  established  Church  and  the 
Presbyterians,  then  known  by  the  name  of  Puritans,  let  recourse  be 
again  had  to  Mr.  Hooker's  IVork,  and  to  the  London  cases.  Then  let 
Mosheim  be  proceeded  with  to  the  end. 

After  these  studies,  and  not  before,  let  Divinity  be  read  in  a  systema- 
tic method.  Bishop  Pearson's  Exposition  of  the  Creed  may  be  consider- 
ed as  a  small  system;  and,  on  account  of  the  excellence  of  the  work,  is 
recommended;  as  also  Bishop  Burnet's  Exposition  of  the  Thirty' JVine 
^irticles.  Then  let  a  larger  system  be  taken;  suppose  Stackhouse's 
Body  of  Divinity,  with  the  addition  of  the  following  modern  works  : 
Elements  of  Christian  Theology,  by  the  present  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  and 
The  Scholar  Armed.  That  many  works  of  this  sort  are  not  mentioned, 
is  because  we  think  their  utility  is  principally  confined  to  arrangement, 
and  suppose  that  the  knowledge  they  convey  is  to  be  obtained  from  the 
scriptures  and  judicious  commentators. 

It  seems  necessary  to  this  course  of  study,  to  recommend  the  Sermons 
of  some  of  the  most  distinguished  preachers ;  who  have  so  abounded  in 
the  Church  of  England  for  some  ages  past,  that  the  only  matter  will  be, 
from  among  many  of  great  name,  to  select  a  convenient  number.  And 
ior  this  purpose  we  refer  to  the  list  at  the  end. 

It  seems  not  unnecessary  to  require  attention  to  the  History  of  the 
Comrnon  Prayei ,  the  grounds  on  which  the  different  services  are  con- 
structed, and  the  meaning  of  the  Rubrics.  Perhaps  a  careful  study  of 
Dr.  Wheatley  on  the  Common  Prayer,  and  of  the  late  work  of  Mr- 
Reeves,  will  be  sufficient. 


ISome  books  ^ould  be  read  on  the  diUies  of  the  Pastoral  office ;  such 
as  St.  Chrysostom  on  the  Priesthood,  Bishop  Burnet  on  the  Pastoral 
Care,  and  Bishop  Wilson's  Parochialia.  It  is,  however,  to  be  remem- 
bered, that  one  reason  of  studying  carefully  the  Book  of  Common  Pray- 
er and  its  Rubrics,  is  that,  by  the  help  of  these,  in  connection  with  what 
belongs  in  Scripture  to  the  ministerial  character,  sufficient  information  of 
its  duties  may  be  had, 

A  knowledge  of  the  Constitution  and  the  Canons  should  be  held  abso- 
lutely necessary.  And  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  they  will,  on  this  account, 
be  soon  published,  detached  from  the  journals. 

To  set  down  wliat  books  sliall  be  essential,  no  student  to  be  ordained 
without  being  Jidly  prepared  to  answer  oi>  them,  is  more  difficult.  The 
loivest  requisition  is  as  follows  :— Paley's  Evidences ;  Mosheim,  with  a 
reference  to  Mr.  Hooker  for  the  Episcopacy ;  Stackhouse's  Body  ofDi- 
vinily ;  and  Mr.  Reeves  on  the  Common  Prayer  ;  the  Constitution  and 
Canons  of  the  Church;  allowing  in  the  study  of  the  Scriptures  a.  latitude 
of  choice  among  the  approved  Commentators  ;  it  being  understood,  that 
if  the  student  cannot,  on  the  grounds  contained  in  some  good  commenta- 
ry, give  an  account  of  the  different  books,  and  explain  such  passages  as 
may  be  proposed  to  him,  this  is  of  itself  a  disqualification. 

In  the  beginning  it  was  intimated,  that  the  course  to  be  recommend- 
ed would  be  disproportioned  to  the  means  of  some,  and  fall  short  of  what 
would  be  within  the  compass  of  others.  For  the  benefit  of  the  latter,  we 
publish  the  following  list  of  books  on  the  different  branches  of  ecclesias- 
tical knowledge. 

During  the  whole  course  of  study,  the  student  will  endeavour,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  cultivate  his  heart  by  attention  to  devotional  and  prac- 
tical treatises ;  several  of  which  will  be  mentioned  in  the  general  list  that 
follows. 

Library  for  a  Parish  Minister,  prefaced  to  "Elements  ofClvristian  The-, 
ology,"  published  by  the  Right  Rev.  the  present  Bishop  of  Lincoln. 
The  books  mentioned  are  divided  into  four  classes. 

"  The  first,  containing  such  as  relate  to  the  exposition  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments :  the  second,  such  as  serve  to  establish  the  divine  au- 
thority of  the  Scriptures ;  the  third,  such  as  explain  the  doctrines  and 
discipline  of  the  church,  and  the  duties  of  its  Ministers ;  and  the  fourth, 
miscellaneous,  including  sermons  and  Ecclesiastical  History. 

"  Class  the  first.''  CampbeWs  Translation  of  tlie  Gospels,  2 

vols.  4to. 

"  Bible,  with  marginal  references,  8vo.  Marsh's  Michaelis,  3  vols.  8vo. 

CrutwelVs  Concordance  of  Parallels,  4to.  fioivyer's  Conjectures  on  the  New  Tes- 
Buttenoorth's  Concordance,  8vo.  tament,  4to. 

Patrick,  I^-n-th,  and  WMtby,  on  the  Old  Mackviighi's  Harmony,  4to. 

and  New  Testament,  6  vols,  folio.  Macknight  on  the  Epistles,  3  vols.  4t9. 

Doddrige's  Family  Expositor,  6  vols.  8vo.  Lo7uman  on  the  Revelation,  8vo. 

Poofs  Synopsis,  5  vols,  folio.  Olivei^s  Scripture  Lexicon,  8vo. 

Collier's  Sacred  Interpreter,  2  vols.  8vo.  Macbean's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  Svo. 
.renm/j/s  Jewish  Antiquities,  2  vols.  8vo.  ,j  p  cproNn 

Lo-wmaies  Rationale  of  the  Hebrew  Ri-  l^LASa  THE  SECOND. 

tual,  Svo.  "  Stilliiigfeet's  Oiigines  Sacrae,  2  vols. 
Gray's  Key  to  the  Old  Testament,  Svo.  Svo. 

Home's  Scripture  History  of  the  Jews,  Clarke's  Grotius,  Svo. 

2  vols.  Svo.  Clarke's  Evidences  of  Natural  and  Re- 
Parkhurst's  Greek  Lexicon,  4to.  realed  Religion,  8vo. 

H  h 


234 


tardner's  Works,  11  vols.  8vo. 

Paley's  Evidences,  2  vols.  8vo. 

Horae  Paulinae,  8vo. 

Jenkins  on  the  Certainty  and  Reasona- 
bleness of  Christianity,  2  vols.  8yo. 

Leland  on  the  Advantage  and  Necessity 
of  Revelation,  2  vols.  Svo. 

Leland's  View  of  Deistical  Writers,  2 
vols.  Svo. 

Butler's  Analogy,  Bvo. 

Campbell  on  Miracles,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

J^Teivton  on  the  Prophecies,  2  vols.  Svo. 

Kelt's  History  the  Interpreter  of  Prophe- 
cy, 3  vols.  12mo. 

Leland  on  the  Divine  Authority  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  2  vols. 
Svo. 

"  Class  the  third. 
«  Burnetts  History  of  the  Reformation, 
3  vols,  folio. 

Exposition  of  the  39  Articles, 

Bvo. 


—  Pastoral  Care,  8vo. 


Pearson  on  the  Creed,  2  vols.  Svo. 
JVicholls  on  the  Common  Prayer,  Svo. 
Wheatley  on  the  Common  Prayer,  Svo. 
Shepherd  on  the  Common  Prayer,  Svo. 
IVilson^  ParoChialia,  12mo. 
JP»^«//on  Infant  Baptism,  2  vols.  Svo. 
Seeker  on  the  Catecliism,  12mo. 


Seeker's  CTiarges,  Svo, 
The  Homilies,  by  Sir  Adam  Gordon,  8vo, 
Daubei^y's  Guide  to  the  Church. 
Appendix  to  do.  2  vols. 

"  Class  the  fourth. 

"  CudtuortKs  Intellectual  System,  2  vols. 

4to. 
Hooker'' s  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  3  vols.  Svo. 
BinghanCs  Antiquities,  2  vols,  folio. 
Broughton'e  Dictionary  of  aU  Religions, 

2  vols.  foho. 
Shuckford's  Connection,  4  vols.  Svo. 
I'rideaux's  Connection,  4  vols.  Bvo. 
Echard'a  Ecclesiastical  History,  2  vols. 

Bvo. 
J^osheim^a  Ecclesiastical  History,  6  vols. 

Svo. 
Bum's  Ecclesiastical  Law,  4  vols.  Svo.  . 
Common  Place  Book  to  the  Holy  Bible, 

4to. 
Barro-w's  Works,  3  vols,  folio. 
Tillotson's  Works,  3  vols,  folio. 
Clarke's  Sermons,  S  vols.  Svo.    ■ 
Sherlock's  Sermons,  5  vols.  Svo. 
Seeker's  Sermons,  9  vols.  Bvo. 
Scott's  Christian  Life,  5  vols.  Svo. 
Whole  Duty  of  Man,  12mo. 
Scholar  armed,  2  vols  Bvo. 
Tracts  by  Society  for  Christian  Know- 
ledge, 12  vols.  12mo. 


Jn  addition  to  the  preceding  may  be  recommended  the  follotving  list  of  Sermons  and 
devotional  and  practical  Books. 


Sermons  by  Bishop  Pearce. 

-., by  Bishop  Wilson. 

— —  by  Bishop  Home. 

»,  ■.- by  Bishop  Porteus. 

by  Dr.  Jortin. 

by  Dr.  Brady. 

by  the  late  Right  Rev.  Bishop 

Seabury,  of  this  Church. 
— _ by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  of 

the  same. 
Bishop  Gibson's  Tracts. 
Bishop    Home's    Commentary  on   the 


Psalms. 


Rev.  Wm.  Jones's  (of  Nayland)  Works- 
Nelson's    Festivals    and   Fasts  of  the 
Church. 

Practice  of  true  Devotion. 

Christian  Sacrifice. 

Bishop  Taylor's  Rule  of  Holy  Living  and 

Dying. 
Scougall's  Life  of  God  in  the  Soul  of 

Man, 
Dr.  Sherlock  on  Death. 

on  Judgment. 

on  a  Future  State. 

on  Providence. 


By  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presi(Mng  Bishop. 


CANONS— Passed  In  1804. 

Canon  I.  Concerning'  the  Election  and  Induction  of  Ministers 
into  Parishes  or  Churches, 

IT  is  hereby  required,  that  on  the  election  of  a  Minister  into 
any  church,  or  parish,  the  vestry  shall  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  de- 
livered to  the  Bishop,  or  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  stand- 
ing committee  of  the  diocese,  notice  of  the  same,  in  the  following 
form,  or  to  this  effect. 


235 

"We  the  Church  "Wardens  (or  in  case  of  an  associated  Rector  or 
assistant  Minister^  we  the  Rector  and  Church  Wardens)  do  certi- 
fy to  the  Right  Re-v.  (naming  the  Bishop,)  or  to  ihe  Rev.  (naming 
the  t*resident  of  the  standing  committee,)  that  (naming  the  per- 
son,) has  been  duly  chosen  Rector  (or  associated  Rector,  or  as- 
sistant Minister^  as  the  case  may  be)  of  (naming  the  parish,  or 
church  or  churchei.) 

Which  certificate  shall  be  signed  with  the  names  of  those  who 
certify. 

And  if  the  Bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  satisfied,  that 
the  person  so  chosen  is  a  qualified  minister  of  this  church,  the  Bi- 
shop, or  the  President  of  the  standing  committee,  shall  transmit 
the  said  certificate  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention,  who  shall 
record  it  in  a  book  to  be  kept  by  him  for  that  purpose.  And  if 
the  minister  elect  be  a  Presbyter,  the  Bishop,  or  President  of 
the  standing  committee,  shall  proceed  to  have  him  inducted  ac- 
cording to  the  office  established  by  this  church.  But  if  he  be  a 
Deacon,  the  act  of  induction  shall  not  take  place  till  after  he  shall 
have  received  Priest*s  orders,  when  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Bi- 
shop or  President  to  have  it  performed. 

But  if  the  Bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  not  satisfied  as 
above,  he  or  they  shall,  at  the  instance  of  the  parties,  proceed  to 
inquire  into  the  sufficiency  of  the  person  so  chosen,  according  to 
such  rules  as  may  be  made  in  the  respective  dioceses,  and  shall 
confirm  or  reject   the  appoiiltment,  as  the  issue  of  that  enquiry; 

ihay  be.  .  ..   .  .,.,-f  •■•.,.)•■      '  •••'■'■  5  '\ 

No  minister,  who  may  be  hereafter  elected  into  any  parish  or 
church,  shall  be  considered  as  a  regularly  admitted  and  settled 
parochial  minister  in  any  diocese  or  state,  or  shall,  as  such,  have 
any  vote  in  the  choice  of  a  Bishop,  until  he  shall  have  been  in- 
ducted according  to  the  office  prescribed  by  this  church. 

The  17th  canon  of  1789,  and  the  3d  canon  of  1799,  are  hereby- 
repealed. 

Canon  II.  Respecting  the  dissolution  of  all  pastoral  co'nnection  be' 
tween  Ministers  and  their  Congregations, 

When  any  minister  has  been  regularly  inducted  or  settled  in  a 
parish  or  church,  he  shall  not  be  dismissed  without  the  concur- 
rence of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  state ;  and 
in  case  of  his  dismission  without  such  concurrence,  the  vestry  or 
congregation  of  such  parish  or  church  shall  have  no  right  to  a  re- 
presentation in  the  Convention  of  the  state,  until  they  have  made; 
such  satisfaction  as  the  Convention  may  require.  Nor  shall  any 
minister  leave  his  congregation  against  their  will,  without  the  con- 
currence of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  aforesaid  \  and  if  he  shall 
leave  them  without  suh  concurrence,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to 
take  a  seat  in  any  Convention  of  this  church,  or  be  eligible  into 
any  church  or  parish  wiihin  the  states  which  have  acceded  to  the 
constitution  of  this  church,  until  he  shall  have  made  such  satis- 


23^ 

faction,  as  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  state  may 
require. 

In  the  case  of  the  regular  and  canonical  dissolution  of  the  con- 
nection between  a  minister  and  his  congregation,  the  Bishop,  or 
if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the  standing  committee  shall  direct  the  Se- 
cretary of  the  Convention  to  record  the  same.  But  if  the  disso- 
lution of  the  connection  between  any  minister  and  his  congpega- 
tion  be  not  regular  or  canonical,  the  Bishop  or  standing  commit- 
tee, shall  lay  the  same  before  the  Convention  of  the  diocese  or 
state,  in  order  that  the  above-mentioned  penalties  may  take  effect. 

Canon  III.  Concerning'  3fimsters  removing  front  one  DioQese  or 
State  to  another. 

No  minister,  removing  from  one  diocese  to  another,  or  coming 
from  any  state  which  may  not  have  acceded  to  the  constitiation  of 
this  church,  shall  be  received  as  a  minister  by  any  congregation 
of  this  church,  until  he  shall  have  presented  to  the  vestry  thereof 
a  certificate  from  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or 
state  to  which  he  is  about  to  remove,  that  he  has  produced  to 
them  satisfactory  testimonials,  that  he  has  not  been  justly  liable 
to  evil  report,  for  error  in  religion,  or  viciousness  of  life,  during 
the  three  years  last  past ;  which  testimonials  shall  be  signed  by 
the  Bishop  or  Bishops,  or  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  by  the  majo- 
rity of  the  clerical  members  of  the  standing  committee  or  commit- 
tees of  the  diocese  or  dioceses  wherein  he  has  resided ;  which 
committee  or  committees  shall,  in  all  cases,  be  duly  convened :  or, 
in  case  he  comes  from  a  state  not  in  connection  with  this  church, 
and  having  no  Convention,  by  three  clergymen  of  this  church. — 
Nor  shall  any  minister,  so  removing,  be  received  by  any  vestry, 
or  acknowledged  by  any  Bishop  or  Convention,  as  a  minister  of 
the  church  to  which  he  removes,  until  he  shall  have  produced  the 
aforesaid  testimonials. 

Every  minister  shall  be  amenable  for  any  offences  committed  by 
him,  in  any  diocese,  to  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  in 
which  he  resides. 

Canon  IV.    Respectmg  differences  betxveen  Ministers  and  their 
Congregations. 

In  cases  of  controversy  between  ministers,  who  now,  or  may 
hereafter  hold  the  rectorship  of  churches  or  parishes,  and  the 
vestry  or  congregation  of  such  churches  or  parishes,  which  contro- 
versies are  of  such  a  nature  as  cannot  be  settled  by  themselves, 
the  parties,  or  either  of  them,  shall  make  application  to  the  Bishop 
of  the  diocese,  or,  in  case  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  convention 
of  the  state.  And  if  it  appear  to  the  Bishop  and  his  Presbyters, 
or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  Convention,  or  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should  be  commit- 
ted to  diem  by  the  Convention,  that  the  controversy  has  proceed- 
ed to  such  lengths,  as  to  preclude  all  hope  of  its  favourable  termina- 


237 

tion,  and  that  a  dissolution  of  the  connection  which  exists  be- 
tween them  is  indispensably  necessary  to  restore  the  peace  and 
promote  the  prosperity  of  the  church  ;  the  Bishop  and  his  Pres- 
byters, or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the  Convention  or  the  standing 
committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should  be  com- 
mitted to  them  by  the  Convention,  shall  recommend  to  such  mi- 
nisters to  relinquish  their  titles  to  their  rectorship,  on  such  condi- 
tions as  may  appear  reasonable  and  proper  to  the  Bishop  and  his 
Presbyters,  or  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  Convention,  or  the 
standing  committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should 
be  committed  to  them  by  the  Convention.  And  if  such  rectors 
or  congregations  refuse  to  comply  with  such  recommendation,  the 
Bishop  and  his  Presbyters,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the  Conven- 
tion or  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  a*' 
thority  sJiould  be  committed  to  them  by  the  Convention,  with  th^ 
aid  and  consent  of  a  Bishop,  may,  at  their  discretion,  proceed,  ac- 
cording to  the  canons  of  the  church,  to  suspend  the  former  from 
the  exercise  of  any  ministerial  duties  within  the  diocese  or  state  ; 
and  prohibit  the  latter  from  a  seat  in  the  Convention,  until  they 
retract  such  refusal,  and  submit  to  the  terms  of  the  recommenda- 
tion ,'  and  any  minister  so  suspended  shall  not  be  permitted,  dur- 
ing his  suspension,  to  exercise  any  ministerial  duties  in  any  other 
diocese  or  state.  This  canon,  shall  apply  also  to  the  cases  of  asso- 
ciated rectors  and  assistant  ministers  and  their  congregations. 

Canon  V.  Of  Clergymen  ordained  by  foreign  Bishops^  and  desir- 
ous of  settling  in  this  Church, 

A  Clergyman  coming  from  a  foreign  country,  and  professing  to 
be  regularly  ordained,  shall,  before  he  be  permitted  to  officiate  in 
any  parish  or  church,  exhibit  to  the  vestry  thereof  satisfactory  evi- 
dence of  his  moral  character,  and  a  certificate  signed  by  the  Bi- 
shop of  the  diocese,  or.  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  by  three  cleri- 
cal members  of  the  standing  committee,  that  his  letters  of  orders 
are  authentic,  and  given  by  some  Bishop  whose  authority  is  ac- 
knowledged by  this  church.  And  should  any  such  clergyman 
desire  to  setde  in  any  diocese,  he  shall  first  obtain  the  license  of 
the  Bishop,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  the  permission  of  three 
clerical  members  of  the  standing  committee,  to  officiate  within 
the  diocese  or  state.  And  if  within  one  year  he  shall  be  guilty  of 
any  unworthy  conduct,  the  Bishop,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop, 
three  clerical  members  of  the  standing  committee,  shall  withdraw 
this  license  or  permission  :  nor  shall  he  be  allowed  to  discharge 
the  clerical  functions,  till  he  shall  have  produced  to  the  Bishop 
such  testimonials  as  are  prescribed  in  the  2d  canon  of  1795,  or  to 
the  clerical  members  of  the  standing  committee,  such  credentials 
as  would  mduce  them  to  give  said  testimonials. 

And  in  any  case,  before  he  shall  be  entided  to  be  inducted  into 
a  parish  or  church,  he  shall  have  resided  one  vear  in  the  Inited 
States, 


238 

And  if  any  such  foreign  Clergyman  shall  remove  from  one  dio- 
cese to  another,  before  one  year  have  expired,  he  shall  not  be  al- 
lowed by  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  to  which  he 
goes,  to  officiate  in  said  diocese,  till  he  shall  have  complied  with 
the  requisitions  of  the  canon  concerning  Ministers  removing  from 
one  diocese  or  state  to  another. 

The  9th  canon  of  the  Convention  of  1789  is  hereby  repealed. 

Ga^*jon  VI.  Limiting  the  operation  of  the  6th  canon  oj  17^95. 

"When  a  Minister  of  any  other  denomination  of  christians  shall 
apply  for,  orders  in  this  church,  the  Bishop  to  whom  application  is 
made,  being  satisfied  that  he  is  a  man  of  piety  and  unexceptionable 
character,  that  he  holds  the  doctrines  of  the  church,  and  that  he 
tlisesses  all  the  literary  and  other  qualifications  required,  and 
bemg  furnished  with  testimonials  from  the  standing  committee 
duly  cpnvened,  may  ordain  him  as  soon  as  is  convenient.  In  all 
such  cases  the  standing  committee  may  insert  in  their  testimonials, 
the  words,  "•  we  believe  him  to  be  sincerely  attached  to  the  doc- 
trines and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,"  instead 
of  the  words,  "  and  hath  not  written,  taught,  or  htld  any  thing 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church." 

Canon  VIT.  Additional  to  the  6th  canon  of  1 795. 

Every  candidate  for  holy  orders,  who  may  be  recommended 
by  a  standing  committee  of  any  church  destitute  of  a  Bishop,  if 
he  have  resided  for  a  greater  part  of  the  three  years  last  past 
within  the  diocese  of  any  Bi^op,  shall  apply  to  such  Bishop  for 
ordination.  And  such  candidate  shall  produce  the  usual  testi- 
monials, as  well  from  the  committee  of  the  diocese  in  which  he 
has  resided,  as  from  the  committee  of  the  church  in  the  state  for 
which  he  is  to  be  ordained. 

Canon    VIII.    Of  Candidates    coming  from  places   within   the 
United  States,  in  which  the  Constitution  of  this  church  has  not 
been  acceded  to- 
ll is  hereby  declared,  that  the  canons  of  this  church  which  re- 
spect candidates  for  holy  orders,  shall  affect  as  well  those  coming 
from  places  in  the  United  States  in  which  the  constitution  of  this 
church  has  not  been  acceded  to,  as  those  residing  in  states  ia 
which   it   has  been  adopted ;  and  in  such  cases,  every  candidate 
shall  produce  to  the  Bishop,  to  whom  he   may  apply  for  holy  or- 
ders, the  requisite  testimonials,  subscribed  by  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  the  diocese. 

Canon  IX.  Of  Candidates  who  may  he  refused  orders. 
No  Bishop  shall  ordain  any  candidate,  until  he  has  required  of 
him,  whether  he  has  ever  directly  or  indirectly  applied  for  orders 
in  any  other  diocese  or  state ;  and  if  the  Bishop  has  reason  to 


239 

believe  that  the  candidate  has  been  refused  orders  in  any  other 
diocese  or  state,  he  shall  write  to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocest;,  or,  if 
there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing  committee,  to  know  whether 
any  just  cause  exists  why  the  candidate  should  not  be  ordained. 
When  any  Bishop  rejects  the  application  of  any  candidate  for 
orders,  he  shall  immediately  give  notice  to  the  Bishop  of  every 
state  or  diocese,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing 
committee. 

Canon  X.  Respecting  Lay  Readers, 

No  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  take  upon  him  to  perform 
devotional  service  in  any  church,  but  by  the  permission  of  the  Bi- 
shop or  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  statv.  in  which  said  candidate 
may  wish  to  perform  such  service.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  authority  to  limit  and  confine  every 
such  candidate  to  such  part  or  parts  of  the  common  prayer  book, 
to  such  dress,  and  to  such  stations  in  the  church,  as  are  appropriate 
only  to  Lay  Readers  :  and  also  to  point  out  what  sermons  or 
homilies  he  shall  or  may  read  to  his  congregation.  And  a  non- 
coiiformitv  on  the  part  of  th'  candidate  to  such  restrictions,  shall 
be  deemed  m  all  cases  a  disqualification  for  holy  orders. 

Canon   XI.  Providing  for  an   accurate  viexu  of  the  state  of  the 
church  from  time  to  time. 

As  a  full  and  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  from 
time  to  time,  is  highly  useful  and  necessary,  it  is  hereby  ordered, 
that  every  Minister  of  this  church  shall  present  or  fortvard,  at 
every  annual  Convention,  to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  where 
there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  President  of  the  Convention,  a  particu- 
lar account  of  the  state  of  his  parish  or  church ;  and  these  paro- 
chial reports  shall  be  read  and  entered  on  the  journals  of  the  Con- 
vention. At  every  General  Convention,  the  journals  of  the  dif- 
ferent state  Conventions  since  the  last  General  Convention, 
together  with  such  other  papers,  viz.  episcopal  charges,  addresses, 
and  pastoral  letters,  as  may  tend  to  throw  light  on  the  state  of  the 
church  in  each  diocese,  shall  be  presented  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies.  And  the  parochial  reports  inserted  on  those 
journals,  together  with  the  episcopal  addresses  and  the  episcopal 
registers  specified  in  the  2d  canon  of  1801,  shall  be  read  in  the 
said  house.  These  journals  and  documents  shall  then  be  sent  by 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to  the  House  of  Bishops, 
who  shall  be  requested  to  draw  up  a  vie>r  of  the  state  of  the  church, 
adding  such  remarks  or  counsel  as  they  may  think  proper  :  the 
whole  in  the  form  of  "  a  pastoral  letter  from  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops," which  shall  be  read  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  and  printed  with  the  journals  of  the  Convention,  for 
the  general  information  of  the  church. 

^  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention  of  every 
diocese  or  state,  or  of  the  person  or  persons  with  whom  the  jour- 


240 

nnis  or  other  esclesiastical  papers  are  lodged,  to  forward  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  at  every  General  Conven- 
tion, the  documents  and  papers  specified  in  this  canon.  At  the 
first  General  Convention  iheld  after  the  passing  of  this  canon,  the 
journals  of  the  state  Conventions,  since  the  organization  of  those 
Conventions,  with  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church  in 
each  state  respectively,  with  all  other  useful  ecclesiastical  docu- 
ments, shall  be  presented  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, and  sent,  as  before  directed,  to  the  House  of  Bishops, 
Btf  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attest.     Cave  Jones,  Secretary. 

Bu  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

ABRAHAM  BEACH,  D.  D.  President. 
Attest.     J.  H.  HoBART,  Secretary. 

(f3^  The  next  General  Convention  -will  be   held  in  the  city  of" 
Baltimore  J  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  May^  1808, 


List  of  the  Clergy  of  the   Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in   the 
United  States  of  America, 

Delivered  in  and  published  agreeably  to  the  16th  canon  of  1789. 1804. 


JV'*ew  Hampshire. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Willard,  Rector  of  St 
John's  churcli,  Portsmouth. 

— ~  Robert  H.  Fowle,  Rector  of  

church,  Holdernesse. 

Daniel  Barber,  Hector  of 

churchjGlairmont. 

Jttassaclmsctts. 
The  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  D.  D. 

Bishop,     and     Rector   of   Trinity 

church,  Boston. 
The   Rev.  William  WUlard    Wheeler, 

Rector  of  St.  Michael's  church,  Sci- 

tuate,  and  St.  Peter's,  Marshfield. 
Nathaniel  Fisher,  Rector   of  St. 

Peter's  church,  Salem. 
John  Sylvester  I.  Gardner,  assistant 

Minister  of  Trinity  church,  Boston. 
. Samuel  Haskill,  Rector  of  St.  Ann's 

church,  Gardiner. 
William  M.  Montague,  Rector  of  St. 

Paul's  church,  Dedham. 
James  Bowers,   Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Marblehead. 
Timothy  Hilliard,  Minister  of  the 

church  at  Portland. 
. James  Morss,  Minister  of  St.  Paul's, 

Newburyport. 
. Amos  Pardy,  Rector  of  St.  Luke's 

church,  Lancsborough. 
— —  • — Griswold,  Hector  of  St.  James's 


church.  Great  Harrington,  and  the 
church  at  Lenox. 

Rhode  Island. 

The  Rev.  Theodore  Dehon,  Rector  of 
Trinity  church,  Ne\v]5ort. 

The  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Griswold,  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Michael's  church,  Bristol. 

Joseph    Warren,    Rector    of  St. 

Paul's  clmrch,  Narraganset. 
Cotmectiait. 
The  Right  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D. 

Bisliop. 
The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Learning,  residing  at 
New  Haven. 

WiUiam  Smith,  D.  D.  Pj-incipal  of 

the  Episcopal  Academy,  Cheshire. 

Richard  Mansfield,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

Christ   church,    Derby,    and     the 
churches  at  Oxfoi-d  and  Great  Hill. 

Bela   Hubbard,    D.   D.  Rector  of 

Trinity    churcli.  New  Haven,  and 
Clu'ist  church.  West  Haven. 

John  Tyler,  Rector  of  Clirist  church, 

Norwich. 
Daniel  Fogg,  Rector  of  , 

church,  Pomphret. 
Philo    Shelton,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Fairfield,  St.  John's  church, 

Stratfield,  and church,  Weston, 

-■ Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Christ's 

church,     Stratford,     and     Trinity 

church,  Trumbull. 


241 


The  Rev.  Chauncey  Prindle,  Rector  of 

Christ's  church,   Watertown,   and 

St.  Peter's,  Plymouth. 
— -  Reuben  Ives,  Rector  of  St  Peter's 

church,  Cheshire,  and  the  churches 

at  Hamden,  and  Southington. 
*— —  Tillotson  Bronson,  Rector  of  St. 

John's  church,  Waterbury,  and 

church,  Salem. 
— —   Truman  Marsh,  Rector   of 

church,  I/itchfield. 
— —   Ambrose    Todd,    Rector    of  St, 

Paul's  church,  Huntingdon. 
——  Daniel  Burhans,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Newtown,  and church, 

Brookfield. 

■  Solomon  Blakesley,  Rector  of  St. 
Stephen's  church.  East  Haddam. 

•—  Cliarles  Seabury,  Rector  of  St. 
James's  church,  New  London. 

■  Smith  Miles,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es at  Chatham,  and  middle  Haddam. 

'  Menzies  Ravner,  Rector  of  ^— 
church,  Hartford. 

■  Nathan  B.  Burges,  Rector  of  the 
churches  at  Guildford  and  Nortli 
Bristol. 

Henry  Whitlock,   Rector  of  the 

churches  at  Norwalk  and  Wilton. 

■  Clement  Merriam,  Rector  of 
Christ  church,  Middletown. 

JVew  York. 
The  Right  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D. 

Bisliop,     and     Rector    of   Trinity 

chuch.  New  York. 
The  Rev,  Peter  Anthony  Albert,  Rector 

of  the  French  church  Du  St.  Esprit, 

New  York. 

—  Theodosius  Bartow,  Rector  of 
Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle. 

m  Edmund  D.  Barry,  Assistant  Minis- 
ter of  the  church  Du  St,  Esprit,  New 
York. 

•— —  Abraham  Beach>  D.  D.  Assistant 
Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New 
York. 

■  ■       Frederick  Beasley,  Rector  of  St. 

Peter's  church,   Albany. 

— —  John  Bowden,  D.  D.  Professor  of 
Moral  PhUosophy,  Logic,  and  Rhe- 
toric in  Columbia  College,  New 
York. 

— —  Richard  Bradford,  Rector  of  St. 
Luke's  church,  Catskill. 

— —  David  Butler,  officiating  at  Troy 
and  Lansinburgh. 

•— —  Philander  Cliase,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Poughkeepsie,  and  Trinity 
church,  Flshkill. 

Abraham  L.  Clarke,  Rector  of  St. 

James's  church,  Newtown,  and  Sl 
George's  church,  Flusliing. 

-• Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

«hurch,  Yonker?, 


The  Rev.  William  Harris,  Rector  of  SL' 
Mark's  church.  Bowery,  New  York, 

Seth  Hart,  Rector  of  St.  George's 

church,  Hempstead,  with  which  \a 
connected  Christ  church.  North 
Hempstead. 

John  Henry  Hobart,  an  assistant 

Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New 
York, 

John  Ireland,  Rector  of  St.  Ann'a 
church,  Brooklyn. 
— —  Cave  Jones,  an  assistant  minister 
Trinity  church.  New  York. 

Bethel   Judd,   Rector    of  Christ 

church,  Hudson. 

Jonathan  Judd,  Deacon,  Missionary 

in  the  western  part  of  the  state. 

Richard  C.  Moore,  Rector  of  St, 

Andrew's   church,    Staten    Island. 

Daniel  Nash,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Otsego,  St,  Luke's,  Rich- 
field, and  Harmony  church.  Butter- 
nuts. 

Samuel  Nesbitt,  residing  in  New 

York, 

Perry,  officiating  in  the 

church.  New  Stamford. 

Davenport  Phelps,  Missionary  in 

the  western  part  of  the  state. 

■■         Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  Christ 

church.  New  York. 
The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  New 

York. 
The  Rev.  Flvan  Rogers,  Rector  of  Christ 

church.  Rye. 
George  Strebeck,  Deacon,  officiat- 
ing in  the  congregations  at  Bedford 

and  its  vicinity 
— —  Gamaliel  Thatcher,  Missionary  in 

the  western  parts  of  the  state. 
— —    John   Urquhart,  Principal  of  the 

Academy  at  Johnstown. 
Frederick  Van  Home,  Rector  of 

Andrew's  church.  Orange  county. 
Isaac  Wilkins,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church.   West    Chester,    and    St. 

Paul's  church.  East  Chester. 
Jv'ew  Jersey. 
The  Rev,  Uzal  Ogden,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

Trinity  church,  Newark. 
Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.  Rector 

of  St.  Mary's  church,  Burhngton, 
Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  St   Mi- 
chael's church,  Trenton. 

John   Croes,    Rector    of   Christ 

church,  New  Brunswick,  and  St. 
Peter's  church,  Spotswood. 

— —  Andrew  Fowler,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Shrewsbury,  and  Christ- 
church,  Middletown. 

Jasper  D.  Jones,  Rector  of  St  Pe- 
ter's church,  Perth  .Amboy. 

— —  Henry  I.  Feltus,  Minister  at  Trinity 
church,  Swedeaborou^b. 
li 


2A^ 


The  Rev.  Samuel  Lilly,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Elizabethtown. 

Pennsylvania. 

The  Right  Rev.  WUHam  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  MagaW,  D.  D. 

— —  John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Vice  Provost 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

— —  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Assistant 
Ministei-  of  Christ  church  and  St.  Pe- 
ter's, Philadelphia. 

— —  Joaeph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

■  John  Campbell,  Rector  of  the 
Episcopal  churches  of  York  and  Hun- 
tingdon. 

—  Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 
Radnor ;  St.  Peter's  in  the  Valley ; 
and  St.  James's,  Perkiomen. 

■  Joseph   Clarkson,   Rector    of  St. 

James's,   Lancaster, church, 

Pequea,  and  church,  Carnarvon. 

.  II  Robert  Ayres,  Rector  of  Emanuel 
church,  Wasliington  county,  and  St. 
Peter's  church,  Fayette  county. 

Francis  Reno,  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty- 

Joseph    Turner,    Rector    of    St. 

Paul's  church,  Chester,  and  St.  Mar- 
tin's church,  Marcus  Hook. 

.  .  ■  Caleb  Hopkins,  Rector  of  Christ 
chiu-ch,  Derry  township,  and  Christ 
church,  Turbut  township,  Northum- 
berland county. 

Thomas  Davis,  Washington  coun- 
ty- .  . 

■  .      James  Abercrombie,  Assistant  Mi- 

nister of  Christ  church   and   St.  Pe- 
ter's, Philadelpiiia. 
I    Absalom   Jones    (a    black  man,) 
Rector  of  the  African  chiuxh  of  St. 
Thomas,  Philadelphia 
John  Taylor,  Pittsburgh. 

Dela-ware. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Emanuel  church. 
New  Castle. 

William  Price,  Trinity  church,  Wil- 
mington. 

James  Wiltbank,  St.  Peter's  church, 

Lewes. 

William    L.    Gibson,   St.   Paul's 

church,  Georgetown. 

JMarylarkd. 

The  .Right  Rev.  Tliomas  John  Claggett, 
D.  D.  Bishop,  and  Rector  of  St.  Paul's 
parish,  Prince  George's  county. 

The  Rev.  Charles  Smoot,  Rector  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  Parish,   St.  Mary's. 

George  Ralph,  AJl-Faith,  St.  Ma- 
ry's. 

Francis  Walker,  St.  Andrew's,  St. 

Mary's, 


The  Rev.  Benjamin  Contee,  William  and 

Mary,  Charles. 
Owen  F.  Magrath,  King  and  Queen, 

Charles. 
Edward  Gant,  jun.  Christ  church, 

Calvert. 
Joseph  Messinger,  StJohn's,  Prmce 

George's. 
•  Thomas     Scot,     Queen     Anne's, 

Prince  George's. 

Walter   D.   Addison,    residing  in 

Prince  George's. 

John  W.  Compton,  St.  James's, 

Anne  Arundel. 

William  Duke,  St.  Anne'3,   Anne 

Arundel. 

Nicholas  W.  Lane,    All  Hallows, 

Anne  Arundel. 
Ralph    Iliginbothom,     residing  in 

Annapolis,  Anne  Anmdel. 

Thomas  Read,  Prince  George's, 

Montgomery. 

Reynolds,  St.  Peter's,  Mont- 
gomery. 

George  Bower,  All  Saints,  Frederic. 

John  Kewley,  Emanuel,  Alleghany. 

Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  D.  D.  St.  Paul's 

parish,  Baltimore  county. 

Elijah   D.    Rattoone,    D.  D.     St. 

Paul's  parish,  Baltimore  county. 

John  Coleman,  St.  James's  and  St. 

Thomas's,  Baltimore  county. 

WiUiam  Swan,  residing  in  Balti- 
more county. 

George  Dashiell,  St.  Peter's,  Bal- 
timore. 

John  Allen,  Rector  of  St.  George's, 

Harford. 

Henry  Lyon  Davis,    St.  Stephen's, 

Cecil. 

Simon  W^)lmer,  Shrewsburj',  Kent. 

John  Armstrong,  St.  Paul's,  Kent. 

.  ■  Colin  Ferguson,  D.  D.  residing  in 

Chestertown,  Kent 

Archibald  Walker,  near  Chestei-- 

town,  Kent. 

Samuel   Keene,  D.  D.  residing  In 

Queen  Anne's. 
Samuel    Keene,  jun.  reading  in 

Queen  Anne's. 
Joseph  Jackson,  St.  Peter's,  Tjilbot. 

John  Price,  St.  Michaels,  Talbot- 

— —  Francis  Barclay,  residing  in    Eas- 

ton,  Talbot. 

James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Great  Chop- 
tank,  Dorchester. 

Wilham  M.  Stone,  Stepney,  So- 
merset. 

Samuel  Sloan,  residing  in  Some  set. 

David  Ball,  All  Hallows,  Wor- 
cester. 

• .fames  .Tones  Wilmer,  place  of  re- 
sidence not  known. 


243 


Resident  in  that  part   of  tlie  JDietvict  of    ThcKev.  Jumcs  Price,  St.  John's 


Thomas  Hughes,  St.  David. 

Archibald  Dick,  St.  Margaret's. 

John  Wood\-ttle,  St.  Mark's. 

Abncr  Waugh,  St.  Mary's. 

John  Parsons,  — . 

John  Seward,  St.  Stephen's. 

John  Hyde  Saunders,  Southam, 

Samuel  Butler,  Southwark. 

.       L£e  Massey,  Truro. 

Samuel  Chapin,  Westover. 

James  Evans,  Yorkliampton. 

John    C.    Brockenboroug,  Wash- 
ington. 

'. Duncan  M'Naughton,  Wicomico, 

—^Joseph  Wilson, 

Stephen  Thomson, 

Coi-nqUus  Garv«rjt, .     ,  rj  i  „  ^ 

cures  notknowti.  .  a  r  k  i  C^^  1<I 
\Soiitli  Carolina. 
The  Rev.  Edwai-d  Jenkins,  D.  D.  St  Mi- 
chael's, Charleston. 

Nathanafil  Bowen,  St.  Michael's, 

Charleston. 

Milwood     Pogson,     St.    James', 

Goose  cjep^,  and  SL  George's,  Dor- 
'■'chestfep.   .     i.  r.  i  )  •  .  ; .  , 

John  Thompson,  St  Thomas's. 

Thomas  Mills,  St.  Andrews,  James' 

Island,  and  St  Andrew's,  Main. 

Edmund   Matthews,    St.   John's, 

Edisto. 

Mr. Nixon,  St  Bartholomew's. 

Thorpas   D.  Bladen,   St.  James', 

Santee.  ' 

J.iTnes  Connor,  St.  Stephen's. 

George  H.  Spierin,  Prince  George's. 

Jolin  O'Donnel,  All  Saints. 

Frazier,  Prince  Frederick. 

Gates,  D.  D. 

.-rr' — ,'«  .,,  M'piilley,  Master  of  an  Aca 
i  ^.  deAj^,  Sfeai^t.^  • 

Blactwell. 

Best,  ^Master  of  an  Academy, 

Charleston. 
.  ■ .    Residents  in  the  state,  without  cures. 

James  Stevenson,  St.  George's j^.^^     Minister  of  the  church 

—^Charles  Hopkins,   St  James  Lor-        ^^  Beaiifort. 

•  The  list  from  this  state  is  the  same  asjn  the  journal  of  the  last  General  Con- 
vention, no  new  list  having  been  delivered  in.    

■}■  No  new  list  from  this  state  has  been  delivered  in.    The  list  published  is  proba- 
bly inaccurate,  as  it  was  drawn  up  only  fi'om  imperfect  information. 


Columbia,  formerly  part  of  Maryland  .- 
The  Rev.  John  I.  Sayrs. 

Andrew  M'Cormick. 

Edward  Gantt 

•  Virginia. 
The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D,D. 

Bishop. 
The  Rev.  Charles  O'Neil,  Rector  of , 

Amherst. 

Alex.inderHay,  Antrim. 

Gr.iy  Bottetourt. 

Hugh  Conan  Boggs,  Berkeley. 

Heath,  Berkley. 

Benjamin  Brown,  Blisland. 

Andrew  SjTne,  Bristol. 

John  Cameron,  D.  D.  Rector  of  — . 

Alexander  31'Farland,  Brunswick. 

Jo^n  Bricfcen,  D.  D.  Bruton. 

— —  John  Camm,  Charles. 
Heffernen,  Christ  church. 

James  Elliott,  Cople. 

Needier  Robinson,  Dale. 

Spence  Grayson,  Dcttingen. 

Daniel M'Naughton,  Christ  Church. 

James  Whitehead,  Ehzabeth  river. 

Thomas  Dajrfs,  Fairfax^  ;  ,  • 

Alexander  Balmaln,  Frederick. 

John  O'Weylie,  Lecturer,  Frede- 
rick. 

Matthew  Alaury,  Fredericksville. 

.John  Hooker  Reynolds,  Hardy. 

John  Buchanan,  D.  D.  Henrico. 

John  Thompson,  Leeds, 

Charles  Crawford,-  Lexington,    i  ^ 

William  Crawford.  — . 

James  Dickinson,  Littleton. 

Young,  Limenburg. 

Anttu)ny  Walke,  Lynhaven. 

Armistead  Smith,  Slatthews. 

John  Dunn,  Manchester. 

James  Leach,  MaAJenbufg.: 

William  Hubard^  W^wTwrt?  t  i«. 

Jacob  Keeling,  Nansemond. 

Robert  Budian,  Overwharton. 

Arthur  Emerson,  Portsmouth- 
John  Brunskill,  Raleigh. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PKOCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 


IBISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


^'hsiihl'  OF  THE 

oa      '  jij^oTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


W   A 


9 


HELD   IN 


The  City  of  Baltimore,  from  Tuesday,  May  IT,  to  Thursday, 

May  26, 1808. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 

OP   THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 


From  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 
Rev.  Theodore  Dehon. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut* 

Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin, 
Rev.  Daniel  Burhans, 
Burrage  Beach,  Esq. 
Mr.  Joseph  Nicoll. 

From  the  State  of  New  Tork. 

Rev.  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore,  D  D. 
Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart, 
Dr.  John  Onderdonk, 
John  Moore,  Esq. 

From  the  State  of  New  Jersey, 
Joshua  M.  W^lace,  Esq. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvmia. 

Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson, 
Rev.  Levi  Bull, 
John  Lardner,  Esq. 
Dr.  P.  F.  Glentworth, 
Joseph  Sims,  Esq. 

From  the  S(a^  af  Delaware. 
Rev.  William  Pryce,  ^'^  .b.jio.: 

Mr.  Joseph  Bum. 

From  the  State  ofMarylarui. 

Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend, 

Rev.  James  Kemp, 
Rev.  George  Dashiell, 
Rev.  Simon  Wilmer, 
William  H.  Dorsey,  Esq. 
James  Ringgold,  Esq. 
John  C.  Weems,  Esq. 
George  Robertson,  Esquire 


JOURNAL 


OF    THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 

Baltimore^  May  17,  1808. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Ge- 
neral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  several  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  at- 
tended at  twelve  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  St.  Paul's  church  ;  but  not  be- 
ing a  quorum,  adjourned  to  meet  at  five  q'clock,  P.  M. 

Five  o'clock,  P.  M. 

A  quorum  of  the  house  appearing,  the  President  of  the  hous^- 
in  the  last  Convention  took  the  chair,  and  the  Secretary  of  th/e 
house  in  the  last  Convention  acted  as  Secretary  pro  tempore. 

The  House  then  prQcei^jied  to  read  the  testimonials  of  the  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Delegates ;  wliicli  were  severally  approved,  and  thei^ 
following  gentlemen  took  their  seats  iii  the  house.  <      '  Ji 

From  Rhode  Island — the  Rev.  Theodore  Dehon.  '"_    ''"''t 

From  Connecticut — The  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  the  Rev.  i3atiT«!^ 
Burhans,  Burrage  Beach,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Joserih  NicoU.  '■'  '  * 

From  New  Tork — the  Rev.  Abraham  Beach,-  D.  D.  thi?  Revi* 
Richard  C.  Moore,  D.  D.  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D.  Dr* 
John  Onderdonk,  and  Jenri  M6ore,  Esq. 

From  Pennsyhariia — the  Rev.  Joseph  Clarksonj ' Jofm  Lard- 
ner,  Esq.  and  Dr.  P.  F.  Glentworth. 

From  Delaware — ReV.  WiUiam  Pryce,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Burns. 

From  Maryland — the  Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  BendvD.  D.  the  Rev,J.. 
James  Kemp,  D.  D.  the  Rev.  George  Dashiell.,  the  Rev.  Simofi; 
Wilmer,'  James  Ringgold,  Esq.  and  William  H.  Dorsey,  Esq.? ,.; 

The  house  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a,  President  and  Se- 
cretary, when  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.,  Abraham  Beach  ;waS 
unanimously  chosen  President,  and  the  Rev.  J«  H.  Hobart,  Se-», 
cretary. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  Ho<ia^  of  Bishops,  informing  them 
that  this  house  was  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business.  :| 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  for  answer,  that  t^ey  alspiwene;^ 
organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

The  house  took  ioit^  consideration  the  rules  of  order  of  preced- 
ing Houses  of  Clerical  and  Lay  deputies,,  and  adopted  the  sam^ 
as  follows,  with  some  small  alterations.  '      ' r'./-^     '  <f 

J.  The  business  of  every  day  shall  be  infroaiicfed  with  tK^ 
morning  service  of  the  church.  '  '  "  !: 

II.  When  the  President  takes  the  chair,  t^o  member  shall  Con- 
tinue standing,  or  shall  afterwards  stand  up,  unless  to  address  the 
chair.  •  , ,  . , 

III.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  frc^  the  service  of  the 
House,  unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  unable  to  attend. 


247 

IV.  "When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  in  debate,  or  deliver 
any  matter  to  the  house,  he  shall  rise  from  his  seat,  and,  without 
advancing,  shall,  with  due  respect,  address  himiHilf  to  the  Presi- 
dent, confining  himself  strictly  to  the  point  in  debate. 

V.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  the  same  debate, 
without  leave  of  the  house. 

VI.  A  question  being  once  determined,  shall  stand  as  the  judg- 
ment of  the  house,  and  shall  not  be  again  drawn  into  debate  during 
the  same  session,  unless  with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the 
house. 

VII.  While  the  President  is  putting  any  question,  no  one  shall 
hold  private  discourse,  stand  up,  walk  into,  out  of,  or  across^the 
house,  or  read  any  book. 

VIII.  Every  member  who  shall  be  in  the  house  when  any  ques- 
tion is  put,  shall,  on  a  division,  be  counted,  unless  he  be  particiv- 
larly  interested  in  the  decision. 

IX.  No  motion  shall  be  considered  as  before  the  house,  unless 
it  be  seconded,  and  reduced  to  writing  when  required. 

X.  "When  any  question  is  before  the  house,  it  shall  be  deter- 
mined on  before  any  thing  new  is  introduced,  except  the  question 

.  for  adjournment. 

.XI.  The  question  on  a  motion  for  adjournment  shall  be  taken 
before  any  other,  and  without  debate. 

XII.  When  the  house  is  to  rise,  every  member  shall  keep  his 
seat  until  the  President  leaves  the  chair. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  Clergy  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  who  may  be  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  who  are 
not  members  of  this  house,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  sittings  of  the 
same. 

'  This  house  Resolved^  That  in  consequence  of  the  decease  of  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Parker,  who  had  been  appointed  to  open  the 
meeting  of  this  Convention  with  a  sermon,  the  House  of  Bishops 
be  requested  to  appoint  one  of  their  number  to  perform  that  duty  x 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  was  appointed  to  communicate  this  re- 
quest to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  returned  with  a  message  from  tlje  House 
of  Bishops,  that  the  Right  Rev,  Bishop  White  intends  to  open  the 
Convention,  with  a  discourse,  to-morrow,  at  the  hour  which  has 
been  publiclj''  notified  for  divine  service. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  hour  of  meeting  each  day  shall 
be  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  31. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Dashiell,  the  rector  of  St.  Peter's,  gave  notice, 
that  there  would  be  divine  service  and  sermon  in  that  church 
every  evening  during  the  session.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  informed 
the  house,  that  the  church  of  St.  Paul's  and  Christ  church  were 
not  fitted  for  service  by  candle-light.   ' 

Wednesday^  May  18,  1808,  A.  M. 
The  house  attended  divine  service  in  St.  Paul's  church. 


248 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  performed  service,  and  the  ftight  Rev* 
Bishop  White  preached  a  sermon  adapted  to  the  occasion  of  the 
meeting  of  the  Convention. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

The  Rev.  Levi  Bull,  a  Clerical  Deputy  from  Pennsylvania,  and 
George  Robertson,  Esq.  a  Lay  Deputy  from  Maryland,  appeared, 
and  took  their  seats. 

The  testimonial  of  the  appointment  of  deputies  from  New  Jer- 
sey was  read,  and  approved  of,  and  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  Esq.  a 
Lay  Deputy  from  New  Jersey,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

On  motion,  Resolved  wianimouslif  ^  That  the  thanks  of  the  Con- 
vention be  returned  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  for  his  sermon 
preached  before  the  Convention  this  morning,  and  that  he  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  a  ropy  for  public;ition. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concurred  in  this  resolution,  and  in- 
formed this  house,  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  would  fur- 
nish a  copy  of  his  sermon  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  revise 
the  canons,  and  to  report  the  same  for  the  consideration  of  this 
house 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  the  committee:  Tha 
Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  Dr.  John 
Onderdonk,  and  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  Esq. 

The  house  took  up  the  alteration  proposed  by  the  last  General 
Convention  in  the  constitution  of  the  church,  viz  That  in  article 
HI.  the  words,  "  unless  adhered  to  by  four-fifths  of  the  other 
house,"  be  struck  out ;  and  the  farther  consideration  thereof  was 
postponed  until  to-morrow. 

A  mt  morial  to  the  General  Convention  was  presented  and  read 
from  the  Convention  of  the  Clergy  and  the  Lay  Delegates  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  New  Hampshire,  praying  the 
Convention  to  rescind  a  resolution  of  the  General  Conven- 
tion of  1801,  relative  to  the  permission  of  an  union  between  cer* 
tain  churches  in  New  Hampshire  and  the  church  in  Vermonf. 
The  memorial  was  referred  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  Rev.  Mr. 
Burhan^,  and  Burrage  Beach,  Esq.  to  report  thereon. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Thursday,  May  19,  1808. 

The  house  met,  and  morning  service  was  performed  by  the  Se- 
cretary, as  Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  a  Clerical  Deputy  from 
Pennsylvania  ;  Joseph  Sims,  Esq.  a  Lay  Deputy  from  Pennsylva- 
nia ;  and  John  C  Weems,  Esq.  a  Lay  Deputy  from  Maryland, 
appeared,  and  took  their  seats. 

The  house  resumed  the*consideration  of  the  resolution  proposed 
by  the  last  General  Convention,  viz. 

Resolved,  That  in  article  \\\.  of  the  constitution  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States   of  America,  the 


249 

words,  "  unless  adhered  to  by  four-fifths  of  the  other  house,"  be 
struck  out. 

The  question  being  taken  by  states  on  the  above  resolution,  it 
was  agreed  to  as  follows  : 

Rhode  Island.  Clergy,  Aye. 

Connecticut.  Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

New  Tork.  Clergy,  Aye.— Laity,  Aye. 

New  Jersey.  Laity,  Aye.  . 

Pennsylvania.  Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  No.*— Divided. 

Delaware.  Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

Maryland.  Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  were  requested 
to  carry  the  above  resolution  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  who  return- 
ed it  with  their  concurrence. 

Agreeably  to  the  11th  canon  of  1804,  the  Journals  of  the  State 
Conventions  and  other  ecclesiastical  documents  were  presented ; 
and  after  the  parochial  reports  and  episcopal  addresses  contained 
on  those  Journals  were  read,  the  journals  and  documents  were 
transmitted  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  a  request  that  they 
would  draw  up  a  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  adding  such  re- 
marks or  counsel  as  they  might  think  proper,  in  the  form  of  a 
pastoral  letter  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  agreeably  to  the  11th 
canon  of  1804. 

The  deputies  from  the  church  in  Maryland  informed  the  house, 
that  they  were  instructed  by  the  Convention  of  said  church,  to 
call  the  attention  of  the  General  Convention,  to  the  expediency  of 
adopting  the  English  canon  concerning  marriages,  and  inserting 
the  same  in  future  editions  of  the  book  of  common  prayer;  'and 
to  the  expediency  of  setting  forth  a  companion  for  the  altar ;  and 
they  stated,  that  they  were  also  instructed  to  enforce  the  necessity 
©f  adopting  an  additional  number  of  hymns. 

In  consequence  of  the  above  communication,  the  house  adopted 
the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved^  That  the  communication  from  the  convention  of  the 
church  in  Maryland,  on  the  subject  of  the  English  canon  con- 
cerning marriages,  be  referred  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  a 
request  that  they  will  consider  the  same,  if  they  deem  it  expedi- 
ent, during  the  present  or  at  some  future  Convention,  and  will 
make  any  communication  to  this  house  which  they  may  deem 
proper. 

Resolved^  That  it  is  not  expedient  to  take  any  order  on  the 
subject  of  setting  forth  a  companion  for  the  altar.  The  above  re- 
solutions were  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

Resolved^  That  it  is  expedient  to  add  thirty  hymns  to  the  pre- 
sent number  contained  in  the  prayer  book :     Provided  that  a  ru- 

•  Joseph  Sims,  Esq.  and  Dr.  P  F.  Glentworth,  Lay  Deputies  from  this  stat'*, 
were  in  favour  of  the  resolution,  but  voted  in  the  negative,  because  tliey  supposed 
It  necessary  that  they  should  have  received  instructions  on  the  subject  from  ^iz- 
convention  of  the  state,  which  ftistructions  they  had  not  received. 

Kk 


250 

brie  be  annexed  thereto,  directing  that  a  certain  portion  or  por- 
tions of  the  Psalms  of  David,  in  metre,  be  sung  at  every  celebra- 
tion of  divine  service. 

The  following  gentlemen,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare and  report  hymns  for  the  consideration  of  this  house.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  Rev.  Mr.  Dashiell,  Rev.  Mr. 
Burhans,  and  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  Esq. 

The  deputies  from  the  church  in  Maryland  also  informed  the 
Convention,  that  they  were  instructed  to  use  their  endeavours  to 
have  the  1st  and  2d  canons  of  the  General  Convention  of  1804 
reconsidered,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the  induction  of  ministers 
into  churches  or  parishes. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  subject  of  induction  be  refer- 
red to  the  committee  on  the  canons. 

The  House  adjourned. 

Friday y  3Iai/  20,  1808,  nine  o'clock^  A»  M, 

The  house  met,  and  morning  prayer  was  performed  by  the  Se- 
cretary, as  Chaplain  to  the  house. 

Leave  of  absence  was  granted  to  Mr.  Burns,  the  Lay  Deputy 
from  the  state  of  Delaware. 

The  committee  on  the  canons  made  a  report  in  part,  which  was 
read. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  Bishops,  with  a^ 
extract  from  their  minutes,  and  a  letter  from  William  H.  Winder, 
Esq.  enclosing  a  petition  from  Ammi  Rogers.  The  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  from  the  state  of  Connecticut,  at  their  own  re- 
quest, were  permitted  to  withdraw. 

Whereupon,  Resolved  unanimGuslij^  That  it  is  the  opinion  of 
this  house,  that  agreeably  to  the  6th  article  of  the  constitution, 
the  General  Convention  have  no  cognizance  of  the  case  of  Ammi 
Rogers,  and  that  he  therefore  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  petition. 

Ordered^  That  the  Secretary  carry  a  copy  of  tlie  above  resolu- 
tion to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same  to 
William  H.  Winder,  Esq.  who  transmitted  the  petition  of  Ammi 
Rogers  to  the  house  of  Bishops. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Saturday,  May  21, 1808,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
The  house  met,  and  morning  service  was  performed  by  the  Se- 
cretary, as  Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  committee  on  the  canons  made  a  further  report,  which  was 

read. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  "  prayer  to  be  used  at  the  meet- 
ings of  Convention,"  adopted  in  General  Convention,  1799,  be 
inserted  in  all  future  editions  of  the  book  of  common  prayer, 
"among  the  occasional  prayers. 

The  above  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their 
concujrrence. 


251 

The  committee  or.  the  memorial  from  the  Convention  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire, 
made  a  report ;  whereupon, 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  of  two  or  more  persons  from  the 
state  of  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  or  Massachusetts,  be  appoint- 
ed, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  give  notice  to  the  parties  interested, 
to  give  them  a  hearing,  if  requested,  and  to  make  report  to  any  two 
of  the  Bishops  of  this  church,  whose  decision  shall  be  final,  till 
the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention. 

Resolvedy  That  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  the  Rev.  Philo  Shel- 
ton,  the  Rev.  Dani-el  Burhans,  Burrage  Beach,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Nicolls,  be  the  committee. 

Resolutions,  proposing  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  ad- 
dress the  church  in  certain  dioceses,  were  read,  and  ordered  to  lie 
on  the  table. 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  on  the  subject  of  the 
English  canon  concerning  marriages,  was  received  and  read. 

The  House  adjourned. 

Monday^  May  23,  1808,  nbie  o'clock,  A,  31. 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  resolutions  proposed  and  laid  on  the  table  on  Saturday, 
proposing  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  address  the  church 
in  certain  districts,  and  for  other  purposes,  were  read  and  adopt- 
ed, and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  additie'nal  number  of 
hymns  made  report. 

The  house  took  up  the  consideration  of  the  canons  as  reported 
by  the  committee  appointed  to  digest  and  revise  the  same,  and 
made  some  progress  therein. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  a 
'*  pastoral  address,"  prepared  in  pursuance  of  the  11th  canon  of 
1 804,  which  was  read  in  part. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Monday,  jive  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  resumed  and  finished  the  reading  of  the 
"  pastoral  letter  from  the  House  of  Bishops,"  transmitted  to  them 
by  said  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  a 
substitute  to  the  resolutions  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  address  the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other  purposes. 

The  house  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  canons  as  re- 
ported by  the  committee,  and  made  further  progress  therein. 

The  Secretary  was  directed  to  communicate  to  the  House  of 
Bishops,  the  revised  canons  as  far  as  they  have  been  agreed  to  by 
this  house,  with  the  necessary  information  relative  to  them. 

The  house  adjourned. 


252 

Tuesday^  May  24,  1808,  nine  o\locky  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  morning  service  was  performed  by  the 
Secretary,  as  Chaplain  to  the  house. 

A  memorial  to  this  Convention,  signed  by  the  Rev.  Nat.Bowen, 
Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  and  Robert  I.  TurnbuU,  and  David  Alex- 
ander, Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  from  the  Convention  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  South  Carolina,  stating  that  they 
were  unable  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  General  Convention,  and 
that  it  was  the  wish  of  the  church  in  South  Carolina  that  there 
should  be  a  repeal,  or  modification  of  certain  canons — was  pre- 
sented and  read,  and  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  house  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  canons,  and  made  further  progress  therein. 

The  house  adjourned  until  5  o'clock. 

Tuesday^  jive  o'clock^  P.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  finished  the  consideration  of  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  the  canons. 

The  Secretary  was  desired  to  communicate  the  remainder  of 
the  revised  canons  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  the  necessary 
information  relative  to  them. 

Leave  of  absence  was  granted  to  George  Robertson,  Esq.  a 
Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Maryland. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Wednesday^  May  15^  1808,  nine  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met,  and  prayers  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  as 
Chaplain  to  the  house. 

The  house  considered  the  substitute  of  the  House  of  Bishops  to 
the  proposed  resolutions  of  this  house,  for  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  to  address  the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other 
purposes,  and  agreed  to  the  same  with  amendments.  These 
amendments  were  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  concurred 
in  by  them,  and  the  resolutions  finally  adopted  as  follows : 

1.  Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  three 
of  the  Bishops  of  this  church,  and  two  of  the  Clergy,  and  two  of 
the  lay  members  of  the  same,  to  make  a  solemn  and  affectionate 
address  to  the  churches,  represented  in  both  orders  in  this  Con- 
vention, urging  upon  them  the  propriety,  necessity  and  duty  of 
their  sending  regularly  a  deputation  to  the  General  Convention ; 
and  that  the  said  address  contain  a  respectful  appeal  to  every  Bi- 
shop of  this  church,  on  the  subject  of  attendance  on  his  part. 

2.  Resolved^  That  the  same  committee  be  authorized  and  de- 
sired to  address  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  every  state 
in  which  it  is  organized,  but  which  has  not  acceded  to  the  consti- 
tution of  this  church,  inviting  it  to  accede  to  the  same. 

3.  Resolved^  That  the  same  committee  address  the  clergy  of 
the  several  states  or  territories  of  the  United  States,  in  which  the 
church  hath  not  been  organized ;  also,  some  of  the  most  respect- 


253 

able  lay  members  of  the  church  in  such  states  dr  territories,  and 
invite  them  to  organize  themselves,  and  accede  to  the  constitution 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America. 

4.  Resolved^  That  the  same  committee  be  authorized  and  de- 
sired to  consider  of  and  determine  on  the  proper  mode  of  sending 
a  Bishop  into  said  states  or  territories  ;  and,  in  case  of  a  reasona- 
ble prospect  of  accomplishing  this  object,  to  elect  a  person  to  such 
episcopacy ;  and  the  certificate  being  given  in  the  usual  terms  by 
the  standing  committees  of  this  church  as  prescribed  in  the  canon 
for  the  consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  recess  of  the  General  Con- 
vention, any  three  Bishops  of  the  same  be  authorized  to  conse- 
crate to  the  episcopacy  the  person  elected  as  above.  Provided 
that  the  jurisdiction  assigned  him  shall  not  interfere  with  the  rights 
of  any  state  or  diocese  which  shall  hereafter  adopt  the  constitution 
of  the  church  in  the  United  States. 

5.  Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  AVhite,  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Claggett,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Beach,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  General  Mathew  Clarkson,  and  Dr. 
John  Onderdonk,  be  the  committee  for  the  purposes  aforesaid  ; 
any  four  of  whom  shall  be  a  quorum,  provided  it  include  one  Bi- 
shop, one  Presbyter,  and  one  Lavman. 

6.  Resolved^  That  the  said  committee  render  an  account  of  their 
proceedings  to  the  next  General  Convention. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  it  be  made  known  to  the  several 
State  Conventions  of  this  church,  that  it  is  proposed  to  consider 
of,  and  determine  on,  at  the  next  General  Convention,  the  pro- 
priety of  the  following  addition  to  the  8th  article  of  the  constitu- 
tution  of  the  church  :  "  No  alteration  or  addition  shall  be  made 
in  the  book  of  common  prayer  or  other  offices  of  the  church,  un> 
less  the  same  shall  be  proposed  in  one  General  Convention,  and 
by  a  resolve  thereof  made  known  to  the  Convention  of  every  dio- 
cese or  state,  and  adopted  at  the  subsequent  General  Convention." 
This  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  returned 
with  their  concurrence. 

The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  additional 
number  of  hymns,  was  read  and  adopted. 

This  report,  with  the  resolutions  relative  to  an  additional  num- 
ber of  hymns,  were  sent  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Dashiell,  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for  their  concurrence. 

The  committee  on  the  canons,  to  whom  was  referred  the  office 
of  induction,  reported  certain  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  by 
this  house,  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  returned  with  their 
concurrence  as  follows,  viz  : 

1.  Resolved^  That  the  title  of  the  office  of  induction  be  changed 
to  '•'■  office  of  institution  ;"  and  that  the  corresponding  alterations 
of  expression  be  made  in  the  office  itself. 

2.  Resolved^  That  the  following  rubric  be  prefixed  to  the  letter 
of  institution  in  said  office. 

"  In  any  state  or  diocese  the  concluding  paragraph  in  the  letter 


254 

of  institution  may  be  omitted,  where  it  interferes  with  the  usages, 
laws,  or  charters  of  the  church  in  the  same." 

3.  Resolved^  That  ui  the  first  rubric,  the  words  "  as  prescribed 
by  the  1st  canon  of  1804,"  be  changed,  and  the  word  "  shall"  be 
changed  to"  may." 

Certain  proposed  resolutions  on  the  subject  of  duels  and  divor- 
ces, were  read  and  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for 
their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops  with 
proposed-  amendments  to  the  revised  canons,  in  which  they  re- 
quested the  concurrence  of  this  house. 

The  house  then  adjourned  to  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Five  o'clock^  P.  M, 

A.  further  message  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  proposing 
amendments  in  the  revised  canons,  was  received. 

The  house  took  up  the  consideration  of  the  amendments  pro- 
posed by  the  House  of  Bishops,  to  the  revised  canons. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  concurred  in  these 
amendments,  with  the  exception  of  one  amendment;  proposed 
further  amendments ;  and  ordered  notice  of  the  same  to  be  sent 
by  the  Secretary  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  house  adjourned  until  to-morrow  8  o'clock. 

Thursdaij,  Mai/ 26,  1808,  eig-ht  o'clock,  A.M. 

The  house  met, 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house  that  they  had  receded  from  the  amendment  to  one  of 
the  canons  in  which  this  house  had  non-concurred ;  had  concur- 
red in  the  other  amendments  proposed  by  this  house ;  had  pro- 
posed a  further  amendment ;  and  also,  tha.t  they  had  postponed 
the  resolution  concerning  the  insertion  of  the  prayer  at  the  open- 
ings of  Conv^ention  among  the  occasional  prayers  in  the  common 
prayer  book.  They  also  returned  the  resolutions  concerning  duels 
and  divorces,  with  a  proposed  aniendment,  which  was  concurred 
it!  by  this  house,  and  the  resolutions  passed,  as  follows  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  ministers  of  this  church  ought  not  to 
perform  the  funeral  service,  in  the  case  of  any  person  who  shall 
give  or  accept  a  challenge  to  a  duel. 

2.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  church,  that  it  is  incon- 
sistent with  a  law  of  God,  and  the  ministers  of  this  church  therefore 
shall  not  unite  in  matrimony  any  person  who  is  divorced,  unless  it  be 
on  account  of  the  other  party  having  been  guilty  of  adultery. 

This  house  also  concurred  in  the  further  amendments  from  the 
House  of  Bishops,  to  one  of  the  canons. 

A  further  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops, 
with  the  proposed  hymns,  and  the  resolution  relative  to  the  same, 
which  they  had  passed,  with  a  substitute  for  one  of  the  hymns. 
Jn  this  proposed  substitute  the  house  concurred. 


255 

Certain  petitions  addressed  to  the  General  Convention,  com- 
municated by  Ammi  Rogers  to  the  Houie  of  Bishops,  which  they 
had  not  opened,  were  sent  by  them  to  this  house.  Whereupon 
the  delegates  from  the  state  of  Connecticut  were,  at  their  request, 
permitted  to  withdraw,  and,  on  motion,  it  was  Resolved^  T^iat  as 
this  house  have  aheady  decided  that  they  have  no  cognizance  of 
the  case  of  Ammi  Rogers,  he  have  leave  to  withdraw  ihese  peti- 
tions. 

The  following  proposed  resolution  was  passed  unanimously : — 
"Whereas  associated  rectorships  are  inconsistent  with  the  usages 
of  the  ""^rotestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  many  respects  incon- 
renient.  Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ditterent  state 
Conventions  of  this  church  not  to  authorise  in  future  associated 
rectorships,  and  that  when  the  existing  associated  rectorships  shall 
expire,  not  to  renew  the  same. 

The  above  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and 
returned  with  their  concurrence. 

The  following  resolutions  were  also  passed  by  this  house,  sent 
by  the  Secretary  of  this  house  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  re- 
turned with  an  amendment,  in  which  this  house  concurred. 

Resolved^  That  the  hymns  set  forth  by  this  Convention,  together 
with  those  now  authorized,  be  printed  in  a  small  volume,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  of  New  York,  and  the 
President  and  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties; that  the  said  committee  be  directed  to  annex  tables  to  the 
hymns  and  psalms,  suiting  them  to  particular  subjects  and  occa- 
sions ;  that  these  hymns  and  tables  be  inserted  in  all  future  edi- 
tions of  the  book  of  common  prayer,  under  the  regulations  of  the 
canon  prescribing  the  mode  of  publishing  authorized  editions  of 
the  book  of  common  prayer ;  and  that  the  edition  of  the  hymns, 
thus  set  forth  by  the  authority  of  this  Convention,  be  the  standard 
copy. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  prepare  the  journals  and  other  acts  of  this  Convention 
for  publication ;  and  that  the  said  Secretary,  with  the  President 
of  the  house,  and  the  Righi  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  be  a  committee 
to  publish  the  same,  together  with  the  sermon  preached  at  the 
opening  of  this  Convention,  and  the  pastoral  letter  of  the  House 
of  Bishops  ;  and  that  the  book  of  canons  and  the  office  of  institu- 
tion published  by  said  committee,  be  authorised  as  standard  copies. 
Resolved^  That  the  city  of  New  Haven,  in  the  state  of  Connec- 
ticut, be  the  place  for  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention, 
which  will  be  held,  agreeably  to  the  constitution,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  of  May,  A.  D.  1811. 

Resolved^  That  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  be  requested  to 
preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next  General  Convention; 
and  that,  in  case  of  his  absence,  the  House  of  Bishops  be  request- 
ed to  appoint  one  of  their  order  to  preach  a  sermon. 

On  motion,  Resobed^Thnx.  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  return- 
ed to  the  President  and  Stcretarv 


25'6 

This  day  being  the  festival  of  the  Ascension,  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, and  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  attended 
divine  service  in  St.  Paul's  church — Service  was  celebrated  by  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  White. 

ABRAHAM  BEACH,  President. 
Attested,  John  Henry  Hob  art,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

City  of  Baltimore^  Tuesday^  May  17,  1808,  9  o'clock^  A,  M. 
AGREEABLY  to  a  resolution  of  the  last  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  appointing  this  city  as 
the  place  of  the  next  meeting ;  and  this  being  the  day  of  their  said 
meeting,  fixed  by  the  constitution  of  the  said  church,  there  met 
in  St.  Paul's  church,  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  White,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Clag- 
gett,  of  Maryland ;  who  adjourned  to  five  o'clock  of  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day. 

Tuesday  afternoon* 

Present  as  in  the  forenoon. 

The  House  of  Bishops  adjourned  to  the  House  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Bend,  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Paul's  church. 

Resolved^  That  agreeably  to  the  offer  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend, 
his  house  be  the  place  of  meeting  during  the  sitting  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Whitehead,  associate  rector  of  St.  Paul's 
parish  in  this  city,  was  appointed  Secretary  of  this  house. 

This  house  received  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  a  message  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  informing  that  they  were 
organized  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business.  Resolved,  That  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Bend  be  desired  to  inform  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  that  this  house  are  also  ready  to  proceed  to  busi- 
ness. 

This  house  also  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  stating,  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Parker, 
who  had  been  appointed  to  open  this  Convention  with  a  sermon, 
having  departed  this  life,  it  is  the  wish  of  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the  said  service  may  be  performed  by  a 
member  of  this  house.  Whereupon^  Resolved^  That  the  desire 
be  complied  with  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  is  authorised  to  inform 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  Bishop  White  in- 
tends to  open  the  Convention  with  a  discourse  to-morrow,  at  the 
hour  which  has  been  publicly  notified  for  divine  service. 

The  House  adjourned. 

Wednesday^  May  18,  nine  o"* clocks  A.  M. 
The  house  met,  and  adjourned  to  attend  divine  service  in  St. 


257 

Paul's  church.     The  Rev.  Dr.  Beach  performed  service,  and  a 

sermon  adapted  to  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  Convontion 
was  preached  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White.  After  service  the 
Bishops  returned  to  their  place  of  meeting.     Present  as  yesterday. 

JResolved^  That  this  house  will  attend  divine  service  during  the 
session,  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  and  the  hours 
of  business  appointed  by  said  house  be  observed  by  this  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  with  a  communication  of  the 
thanks  of  the  said  house  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  for  his 
sermon  preached  this  morning,  and  with  a  request  that  he  furnish 
a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication.  AVith  this  request,  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  White  complied. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Thursday^  May  19M,  nine  o'clock^  A,  M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

A  message  was  received  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Bend  and  Moore^ 
with  the  following  communication  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies. 

Resolved^  That  in  article  the  third  of  the  constitution,  the  words 
"unless  adhered  to  by  four-fifths  of  the  other  house,"  be  struck 
out — to  which  resolution  this  house  gave  their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  also  received  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bull,  with  the 
following  communication  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  viz.  the  house  resolved  that  the  journals  of  the  different 
state  Conventions,  Episcopal  addresses,  parochial  reports,  and 
other  ecclesiastical  documents  presented,  and  some  of  them  read 
in  this  house,  be  forwarded  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  in  order 
that  they  may  draw  up  a  pastoral  letter  from  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, to  be  read  in  this  house,  and  published  agreeably  to  the 
eleventh  canon  of  1804. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  ' 
Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  with  a  resolution  against  the 
expediency  of  setting  forth  a  Companion  for  the  Altar,  in  which 
resolution  this  house  concurred.     Tiiis  house  also  received  the 
following  resolution  : 

Resolved^  That  the  communication  of  the  church  in  Maryland, 
requesting  the  attention  of  the  General  Convention  to  the  EngHsh 
canon  respecting  marriages,  and  the  expediency  or  inexpediency 
of  adopting  the  same,  and  ordering  it  to  be  inserted  in  the  future 
editions  of  the  book  of  common  prayer,  be  referred  to  the  House 
of  Bishops,  to  take  up  the  subject,  if  they  deem  it  expedient, 
during  the  present  or  some  future  Convention ;  and  to  make  any 
communication  to  this  house  which  they  may  think  proper. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Frldajjy  3Iay  20,  nine  o'clock^  A.  M. 
The  house  met.     Present  as  vesterday. 

L  1 


258 

There  was  presented  to  this  house  a  letter  signed  William  H. 
Winder,  enclosing  two  documents,  signed  Ammi  Rogers.  Mr. 
Winder  informs  this  house,  that  he  is  counsel  for  the  said  Ammi 
Rogers  ;  who,  in  the  documents  referred  to,  appeals  to  the  Ge- 
neral Convention,  from  a  sentence  of  degradation  said  to  have 
been  passed  on  him  without  trial  or  hearing,  by  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Jarvis,  of  Connecticut. 

This  house  having  considered  the  contents  of  the  aforesaid  pa- 
pers, are  of  opinion,  that,  agreeably  to  the  constitution  of  this 
church,  they  have  no  authority  to  act  on  an  appeal  in  regard  to 
the  matter  stated;  and  that  thei-e  is  no  existing  mode,  by  which 
any  Bishop  or  Bishops  of  this  church  can  take  cognizance  of  the 
conduct  of  any  other  Bishop,  unless  at  the  desire  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  diocese  to  which  such  a  Bishop  should  belong,  and 
conformably  to  rules  of  process  by  them  established. 

And  whereas  this  house  acted  on  the  concerns  of  the  said  Ammi 
Jlogers,  in  the  session  of  1804,  as  appears  by  the  minutes;  they 
now  wish  it  to  be  known,  that  their  proceedings  at  that  time  ori- 
ginated in  his  own  petition,  relative  to  the  following  points  : 

1st,  Whether  he  belonged  to  the  diocese  of  Connecticut,  or  to 
that  of  I^ew  York. 

2dly.  The  recalling  which  he  proposed,  of  a  circular  letter 
written  by  Bishop  Jarvis  ;  forbidding  the  petitioner  to  perform 
divine  service  in  the  diocese,  and  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  same 
to  countenance  him  as  a  minister. 

3dly.  A  candid  and  impartial  inquiry  into  his  conduct  and  cha- 
racter. 

On  the  first  of  the  said  points,  the  house  then  assembled,  be- 
ing assured  that  both  the  parties  were  disposed  to  submit  to  their 
determination,  declared  it  to  be,  that  AmiTii  Rogers  was  a  cler- 
gyman not  of  New  York,  but  of  Connecticut. 

The  second  point  being  a  matter  of  internal  concern  of  the 
church  in  Connecticut,  was  not  acted  on  judicially  by  this  house; 
although  as  their  opinion  was  expected  on  both  sides,  they  ex- 
pressed it  as  it  was,  approbatory  of  the  measure. 

On  the  third  point,  they  were  of  opinion  that  Ammi  Rogers, 
far  from  having  been  treated  with  injustice,  had  not  received  a 
sentence  sufficiently  severe. 

To  the  opinions  thus  given,  no  addition  or  alteration  is  intended 
by  this  house ;  and  they  finally  dismiss  the  subject  from  their 
consideration. 

This  house,  wishing  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  to 
fee  informed  of  their  proceedings  on  the  application  now  before 
them,  direct,  that  the  Secretary  deliver  to  them  a  copy  of  the  mi- 
nute now  made,  with  the  papers  on  which  it  is  grounded.  They 
also  direct  the  Secretary  to  deliver  a  copy  of  the  minute  to  Wil- 
liam H.  Winder,  Esq.  and  for  the  further  information  of  that 
gendeman,  to  deliver  vvith  it  a  copy  of  the  constitution  ef  this 
f^urche 


259 

The  above  was  accordinc^ly  communlcatied  to  the  House  of  CIC'* 
rical  and  Lav  Dc-puties,  and  a  message  was  received  from  them, 
containing  the  following  unanimous  resolution  :  That  it  is  the  opi- 
nion of  this  house,  that,  agreeably  to  the  6th  article  of  the  con- 
stitution, the  Gentral  Convention  have  no  cognizance  of  the  case 
of  Amini  Rogers,  and  that  he  therefore  have  leave  to  withdraw 
his  p'.  tition. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Saturday y  Mai/  21,  nine  6* clock ^  A,  M, 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

In  consequence  of  the  message  received  by  this  house  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  concerning  the  English  ca- 
non about  marriages,  the  following  message  was  sent : 

The  House  of  Bishops,  having  taken  into  consideration  the 
message  sent  to  them  by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 
relative  to  the  subject  of  marriage,  as  connected  with  the  table  of 
degrees,  with  which,  according  to  the  canons  of  the  church  of 
England,  marriage  cannot  be  celebrated,  observe  as  follows  : 

Agreeably  to  the  sentiment  entertained  by  them,  in  relation  to 
the  whole  ecclesiastical  system,  they  consider  that  table  as  now 
obligatory  on  this  church,  and  as  what  will  remain  so  ;  unless 
there  should  hereafter  appear  cause  to  alter  it,  without  departing 
from  the  word  of  God,  or  endangering  the  peace  and  good  order 
of  this  church.  They  are,  however,  aware,  that  reasons  exist 
for  making  an  express  determination  as  to  the  light  in  which  this 
subject  is  to  be  considered.  They  conceive  so  highly  of  the  im- 
portance of  it,  and  it  is  connected  with  so  many  questions,  both 
sacred  and  civil,  that  they  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  entering  on  it, 
without  muturer  consideration  than  any  expected  length  of  the  pre- 
sent session  will  permit :  and  this  opinion  derives  additional 
weight,  both  from  there  being  but  few  of  their  house  present,  and 
from  there  being  several  of  the  churches  not  represented  in  this 
Convention. 

Accordingly,  they  content  themselves  with  recommending  the 
subject  to  be  considered  and  acted  on  at  a  future  Convention, 

This  house  received  a  message  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  with  certain  resolutions,  grounded  on  the  memo- 
rial of  the  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire,  in  which  resolutions  this  house  con- 
curred. 

This  house  also  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  a  resolution  relative  to  the  ''  prayer  to  be  used  at  X^t 
meetings  of  the  Convention." 

The  house  adjourned. 

Monday^  May  23,  1808,  nine  o*chck. 
The  house  xatt.     Present  as  on  Saturday, 


260 

This  house,  ift  consequence  of  the  communication  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  of  the  Journals,  parochial 
reports,  and  other  ecclesiastical  documents,  and  agreeably  to  the 
11th  canon  of  the  General  Convention  of  1804,  agreed  on  "  a  pas- 
toral letter  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal church  to  the  members  of  the  same,"  which  was  sent  by  the 
Secretary  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  in  order  to 
be  read  in  said  house. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  with  certain  resolutions  on  the  subject  of  appointing  a 
committee  to  address  the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other 
purposes,  which  resolutions  the  house  considered  and  sent  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  a  substitute  therefor. 

Five  o'clock^  P.  IM. 

The  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties a  draft  of  the  canons,  as  revised  by  said  house  ;  and  the  Reva 
Dr.  Hobart,  who  delivered  this  message,  was  permitted,  agree- 
ably to  a  request  of  the  said  house,  to  give  the  necessary  infor- 
mation relative  to  said  canons.  The  house  entered  on  the  consi- 
deration of  them,  and  adjourned  without  finishing  the  same. 

Tuesday^  May  24,  A.  M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

The  house  proceeded  in  the  consideration  of  the  canons,  as 
revised  and  amended  by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies: 

Five  o'clock^  P.  M. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Dcpu 
ties,  the  remainder  of  the  canons,  revised  and  amended,  with  cer- 
tain information  relative  to  them,  by  the  Secretary  of  said  house. 

Wed7iesday^May  25,  1808. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarkson,  the  proposed  substitute  from 
this  house  to  the  resolutions  for  appointing  a  committee  to  address 
the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other  purposes,  with  pro- 
posed amendments,  in  which  this  house  concurred:  And  also  a 
resolution  to  make  known  to  the  state  Conventions,  a  proposed 
addition  to  the  constitution  of  the  church,  in  which  this  house 
concurred. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dashiel,  a  re- 
solution relative  to  hymns,  with  a  proposed  additional  number  of 
hymns. 

A  further  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  with  certain  resolutions 


2G1 

proposing  alterations  in  the  office  of  induction,  in  which  this  house 
concurred  :  and  this  house  also  received  certain  resohxtions  on  the 
subject  of  duels  and  divorces. 

This  house  proceeded  in  the  consideration  of  the  revised  canpns 
received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  and  having 
passed  several  of  them,  with  amendments,  sent  them  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for  their  concurrence. 

Five  o'clock^  P,  M. 

This  house  finished  the  consideration  of  the  revised  canons_, 
and  returned  them,  with  amendments,  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies. 

This  house  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 
the  following  resolve,  concerning  persons  who  have  already  been 
received  as  candidates  for  orders.  Resolved^  That  the  canon  re- 
gulating the  preparatory  exercises  of  candidates  for  orders,  shall 
not  affect  those  persons  who  have  already  been  received  as  candi- 
dates ;  but  that  their  cases  shall  be  governed  by  the  canons  on  said 
subject,  wlfich  were  in  existence  at  the  commencement  of  the  pre- 
sent Convention.* 

The  house  adjourned  to  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  3Iay  26,  1808,  eight  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  a  message,  that  the  said  house  had 
non-concurred  in  one  of  the  amendments  proposed  by  this  house, 
to  one  of  the  revised  canons,  had  concurred  in  the  other  amend- 
ments, and  proposed  further  amendments.  In  these  amendments 
this  house  concurred.  They  also  receded  from  their  proposed 
amendment  returned  by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 
and  proposed  a  further  amendment,  in  which  they  were  afterwards 
informed  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  concurred. 

This  house  adopted  the  resolutions  sent  from  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  relative  to  duels  and  divorces,  with  an 
amendment,  in  which  the  said  house  concurred. 

This  house  returned  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, the  resolution  concerning  the  prayer  to  be  used  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  Convention,  wishing  to  delay  the  insertion  of  the  same, 
among  the  occasional  prayers  in  the  book  of  common  prayer,  un- 
til some  future  occasion. 

This  house  took  up  the  consideration  of  the  resolution  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  relative  to  an  additional 

*  With  the  approbation  of  the  presiding-  Bisliop,  tbe  Secretary  of  the  House  oi" 
Clerical  and  L;-y  Deputies  states,  that,  tliroiig-h  inadverti-nce,  this  resolution  was 
not  tv.'iT! emitted  to  tlie  House  orCkrical  and  Lay  Deputies,  but  that  from  the  senti- 
ment'i  exp:  esscd  in  said  house,  diiring  tlie  consideration  of  the  canons,  it  appeared 
to  be  understood,  that  the  canon  concerning  the  preparatory  exercises  was  not 
designed  to  affect  those  persons  who  had  alreatly  been  received  as  candidates  ffir 
orders. 


262 

number  of  hymns,  and  adopted  the  same  ;  they  also  adopted  the 
proposL'd  hymns,  with  the  exception  of  one  hymn,  instead  of 
which  they  proposed  another. 

This  house  also  received  a  message,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hobart, 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  stating  that  the  said 
house  had  agreed  to  the  substitute  to  one  of  the  hymns;  and  re- 
questing tht;  concurrence  'if  this  house  in  a  resolution  disapproving 
of  iiss.  ciated  rtcioj  ship?.,  and  to  sundry  resolutions  relative  to  the 
setting  forth  of  the  hymns,  tht-  publishingof  the  journals,  the  place 
of  meeting  of  the  next  General  C  invention,  and  the  preacher  at 
the  opening  of  the  same.  This  house  passed  the  aforesaid  reso- 
lutions, with  an  amendment  to  the  resolution  concerning  the  set- 
ting forth  of  the  hymns,  in  which  amendment  the  House  of  Cleri- 
cal and  Lay  Deputies  concurred- 

Certain  petitions  were  received  from  Ammi  Rogers,  which,  as 
this  house  had  resolved  to  dismiss  the  subject  of  his  case  finally 
from  their  consideration,  they  did  not  open,  but  ordered  them  to 
be  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  who  informed 
this  house  that  they  had  granted  leave  to  the  said  Amini  Rogers 
to  withdrav/  these  petitions. 

Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  given  to  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Bend,  for  the  accommodations  which  they  have  received  in  the 
use  ot  his  parlour,  and  in  other  attentions,  during  the  session  of 
the  Convention. 

The  house  rose,  after  attending,  with  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  divine  service  at  St.  Paul's  church;  this  day  being 
the  festival  of  the  Ascension.  Divine  service  was  celebrated  by^ 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 

Attested^  James  Whitehead,  Secretary. 

N.  B.  The  canons  passed  at  this  Convention  are  published  with 
the  constitution  of  this  church  in  a  distinct  pamphlet. 

lAst,  of  the  Clergy   of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in  the 
United  States  of  America^ 

Dellvei-ed  in  and  published  agreeably  to  the  canons.- 1808. 

JVew  Hampshire.  The  Rev.  N.ithaniel  Fishei',    Rector  of 

St.  Peter's  church,  Salem. 

Si  John's  church,  Portsmouth,  vacant.  John  Sylvester  I.  Gardner,  Rector 

THE  Rev.  Robert  H.  Fowle,  Rector  of  of  Trinity  church,  Boston. 

church,  Holdernesse.  .Mr.  Eaton,  Reotor  of  Christ  churciv 

Daniel   BiU'ber,     Rector   of   Boston. 

church,  Clermont.  Samuel    Haskill,    Rector   of  St. 

.Mr.  Callin,  officiates  at  Plainfield.  Ann's  church,  Gardiner, 

Samuel  Mead.  William  Montag-ue,   Rector  of  St. 

T,r         I      ,,  Paul's  church,  Dedham. 

Ma^sachmetU.  j^^^^  3^^.^^^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^^  g^  j^jj_ 

The  Rev.  William  Willard  Wheeler,  Rec-  chad's  churcli,  Marblehead. 

torofSt.Micliael's  church,  Scituate,     '  ■        Timothy  Hilhard,  Minister  of  tJ\e 
and  St.  Peter'B,  Marshfield.  church  at  Portland. 


26: 


The  Rev.  James  Morss,  Minister  of  St. 

Paul's,  Newburyport. 
Amos  Pardy,  Hector  of  St.  Luke's 

church,  Lancsboroui^h. 

Griswold,    IJcctor    of    St. 

James   churcli,  Great   naiTington, 
and  the  clmrcli  at  Lenos. 

Rhodfi  Island. 
The  Rev.  Theodore  Dehon,    Rector  of 

Trinity  churcli,  Newport. 
Alexander  V.  Griswold,  Rector  of 

St.  Michael's  church,  Bristol. 

Mr.  Ward,  Assistant    Minister  of 

Trinity  church,  Newport. 

. Nathan  B.  Crocker,   Hector  of 

chui'ch,  Providence. 
Connecticut. 

T\\e  Right  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Tillotson  Bronson,  principal  of 
the  Episcopal  Academy,  Chesliire. 

Richard  Mansfield,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

Christ  church,  Derby,  and  the 
churches  of  Oxford  imd  Great  Hill. 

Bela  Hubbard,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church.  New  Haven,  and  Christ 
church.  West  Haven. 

.r~ — John  Tyler,  Rector  of  Christ  church, 
Norwich. 

Daniel    Fogg-,   Rector   of  

church;  Pomtrct. 

Pliilo  Shelton,   Hector    of  Trinity 

church,  Faii-ticld,  St.  John's  church, 
Stratheld,  and church,  Wes- 
ton. 

Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,  Stratford,  and  Trinity 
church,  Trumbull. 

Chaimcey   Prindle,  Rector  of  the 

churclics  of  Oxford  and  Salem. 

Reuben  Ives,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Cheshire,  and  the  churches 
of  Ilamden  and  Soutliington. 

Truman  Marsh,  Rector  of  the  As- 
sociated churches,  Litchfield. 

■■  I  Ambrose  Todd,  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  church,  Huntingdon. 

-■  Daniel  Burhans,  Rector  of  Trinity 
church,  Newtown,  and  St.  Luke's 
church,  Brookfield. 

-  Solomon  Blakslee,  Rector  of  St. 
Stephen's  church,  East  Haddam. 

Charles    Seabui-y,    Rector    of  St. 

James's  church,  New  London. 

• Smith  Miles,  Hector  of  the  church- 
es at  Chatham  and  Middle  Had- 
dam. 

Menzies  Rayner,    Rector  of  tlie 

church,  Hartford. 

Henry  W  hillock.    Rector    of  the 

churches  at  Norwalk  and  Wilton. 

——Calvin  White,  Assistant  Minister  of 
Christ  church,  Derby. 


Tlie  Rev.  Nathan  B.  Rm-g«8,  Rector  of 

the  cliurch,  Hebron. 

KogcrSearl,  Rector  of  St.  Mark's 

church,  Harrington,  and  the  churcii 
in  Northfield. 
.  Horace  ^'i^gil  Barber,  Rector  of 

St.  Joim's  church,  Waterbury. 

Ilussel  Wheeler,  Hector  of  Christ 

church,  Walertowp,  and  the  church 
in  Bethlehem. 

Asa   Cornwall,     Rector    of     the 

churches  in  Simsbury  and  Granby. 

Elijah   G.   Plumb,  Deacon   in  the 

churches  of  Danbury,  Reading,  and 
Kidgfield. 

Benjamin  Benham,  Deacon  in  St. 

Peter's  church,  New  Milford,  and 
the  churches  of  Roxbury  and  New 
Preston. 

David    Baldwin,    Deacon    in    the 

churches  of  Guilford  and  North 
Bristol. 

JVdiy  York. 
The  Right  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D. 
Bishop,    and     Rector     of    Triiiity 
church,  New  York 
The  Rev.  Amos  G    Baldwin,  Rector  of 

Trinity  church,  Utica. 
Theodosius  Bartow,  Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church.  New  Rochelle. 

John  F.  Bartow,  Deacon,  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  Bloomingdale,  New- 
York. 

Edmund  D.  Barry,  Principal  of  the 

Episcopal  Academy,  New  York, 
officiates  at  Grace  church,  Jamaica. 

—  Abraliam  Be.ach,  D.  D.  an  Assist- 
ant Minister  of  1  rinity  church,  New 
York. 

—  Frederick  Beasley,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's  ciuircli,  Albimy. 

—  John  Bowden,  D.  I).  Professor  of 
Moral  Philosophy,  Logic,  and  Rhe- 
toric, in  Columbia  college,  New 
York. 

—  David  Butler,  officiating  at  Troy 
and  Lansingburgh. 

—  Harzillai  Buckley,  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Poughkecpsie,  and  Trinity 
clmrch,  Fislikill. 

—  James  Chapman,  Deacon,  Trinity 
church,  New  York. 

—  Abraham  L.  Clarke,  Rector  of  St. 
Jiimes's  church,  Newtown,  and  St. 
George's  church,  Flushing. 

—  Ehas  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 
church,  Yonkers. 

Joab  (i.  Cooper,    Deacon,  Christ 

churcii,  Hudson. 

—  Henry  L  Feltus,  St.  Ann's  church, 
Brooklyn. 

\V  illiam    Harris,    Rector    of    St. 

Mark's  church.  Bowery,  New  York. 


264 


The  Rev.  SethHart,  Rector  of  St.George's 
church,  Hempstead,  with  which  is 
connected  Christ  chui-ch.  North 
Hempstead. 

John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D.  an  As- 
sistant Minister  of  Trinity  chmxh, 
New  Yorlc. 

Thomas  Y.  How,  Deacon,  Trinity 

church,  New  York. 

Cave  Jones,  an  Assistant  Minister 

of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 

Jonathan  Ji^dd,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Johnstown,  and church, 

Fort  Hunter. 

Thomas  Lyell,   Rector  of  Christ 

church,  ]Sew  York. 

Richard  C.  Moore,  D.  D.  Rector 

of  St.  Andrew's  church,  Staten 
Island. 

■  David    Moore,    Deacon,     Staten 

Island. 

- —  Daniel  Nash,  Rector  of  St.  John's 
church,  Otsego,  St.  Luke's,  Rich- 
field, and  Harmony  church,  Butter- 
nutts. 

Samuel  Nesbitt,  residint?  in  New 

York. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  New 

York. 
The  Rev.  Perry,   Christ  church, 

Ballstown. 
■— —  Davenport    Phelps,  Missionary   in 

the  Western  part  of  the  State. 
Josc-pii  Prentis,  Deacon,  Athens  and 

Cocksackie. 

Joseph  Reed,  St.  Luke's  church, 

Catskili. 

Evan  Rogers,    Rector   of  Christ 

church.  Rye. 

Cyrus    Stebbins,    Rector    of   St. 

George's  chui-ch,  Schenectady. 

George  Strebeck,    Rector  of   St. 

Stephen's  church,  New  York. 

John  Urquhart. 

Frederick  Vanhorne. 

Joseph  Warren,  St.  Peter's  church, 

Peekskill,  and  St.  Philip's  church, 
Philipstown. 

r Isaac  Wilkins,  Rector  of  St.  Fe- 

ter's    church,  West  Chester;    and 
St.  Paul's  church,  East  Chester. 
JVew  Jersey. 

Tiie  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D. 
Rector  of  St.  Miuy's  church,  Bur- 
lington. 

Henry  Waddell,  Rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's church,  lYenton. 

John  Croes,    Rector    of    Christ 

cluii-ch.  New  Brunswick,  and  St. 
Peter's,  Spotswood. 

Jasjjcr  D.  Jones,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Pertli  Amboy. 

Joseph  WlUard,   D.  D.  Rector  of 

Trinity  chuj'ch,  Newark. 


The  Rev.  John  C.  Rudd,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  Elizabethtown. 

Simon    Wilmer,   Trinity   church, 

Swedesborough. 

JPennsi/lvimia.' 

The  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D. 

John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Vice  Pro- 
vost in  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Robert  Black  well,  D.  D.  Assistant 

Minister  of  Christ  church  and 
St.  Peters,  in  the  city  of  Pliila- 
delphia. 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

John   Campbell,    Rector   of  the 

churches  of  York  and  Hunting- 
don. 

Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

St.  Paul's  church,  Philadelphia. 

Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  David's, 

Radnor,  St.  Peter's  in  the  Valley, 
and  St.  James's,  Perkiomen. 

Joseph   Clarkson,   Rector  of  St. 

James's,Lancaster,  St.  John's  church, 
Pequea,  and  Bangor  chiu-ch.  Car- 
narvon. 

Robert  Ayi'es,  rector  of  Emanuel 

church,  Wasliington  county,  and  St. 
Peter's  church,  Fayette  county. 

— —  Francis  Reno,  Westmoreland 
county. 

— <■ — Joseph  Tm'ner,  rector  of  St.  Paul's 
church,  Cliester,  and  St.  Martin's 
church,  Marcus  Hook. 

■  Caleb  Hopkins,  rector  of  Christ 
church,  Deny  township,  and  Christ 
church,  Turbut  to  wnsliip,  Northum- 
berland county. 

— —  Thomas  Davis,  Washington  co. 

James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  Assistant 

Minister  of  Christ  church  and  St. 
Peter's,  Philadelphia. 

Absalom  Jones,    (a  black   man,) 

Rector  of  the  African  church  of  St. 
Thomas,  Pliiladelphla. 

John  Taylor,  Pittsburgh. 

Levi  Bull,  Rector  of  St.  Gabriel's 

church,  Berks  county,  and  St.  Ma- 
ry's  church,  Chester  county. 

Ayres. 

Delaioare. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Emanuel  church, 
New  Castle. 

William   Pryce,  Trinity  church, 

Wilmington. 

James  Wiltbank,  St.  Peter's  church, 

Lewes, 

Hamilton  Bell,  St.  Paul's  church, 

Georgetown. 

J^taryland. 
The  Right  Rev.    I  homas  J.  Claggett, 
D.  D.  Bishop. 


265 


The  Rev.  Francis  Barclay,  A.  M.  Rector  of 
William  &.  M;iry  parish,St.  Mary's  co. 

— —  George  Kalpli,  A.  M.  Rtctor  of 
All  Faith  parish,  St.  Mary's  county. 

•  Henjamin  Contee,  Rector  of  Wil- 
liam and  Maiy  parish,  Cliarles  co. 

« John  Weenis,  Rector  of  f'ort  To- 
bacco pai-ish,  Chailes  county. 

—  Xicliolas  W.  Lane,  residing  in 
Calvert  county. 

Edward  Gantt,  jun.   residing  in 

Calvert  county. 

*  Thomas  Scott,  Rector  of  Queen 

Anne's  parish,  Prince  George's  co. 
Walter  D.   Addison,  Rector  of  St. 

John's  parish,  Prince  George's  cO. 
— —  Joseph  Messenger,  resichng  in  St. 

John's  parish.  Prince  George's  co. 
— —   William    Swatin,  residing   in  St. 

Paul's,  Prince  George's  county. 
Bethel  Judd,  A.  M.  Principal  of  St. 

John's   College,  and  Rector  of  St. 

Anne's,  Anne  Arundel. 
John  Wilson  Compton,  Rector  of 

St.  James's  parish,  Anne  Arundel. 
— —  Ralph  Higginbotham,  residing  in 

Annapolis,  Ann  Arundel. 

—  *  Joseph G.  I.  Bend,  D.  D  associate 
Rector  of  St.  Paul's  pai-ish,  Balti- 
more. 

m       *  James  Whitehead,  D.  D.  associate 

Rector  of  St.  Paul's  parish,  Balti- 
more. 
•^ George  Dashiell,  A.  M.  Rector  of 

St.  Peter's  church,  Baltimore. 
> John  Armstrong,  Rector   of  St. 

Thomas,  Baltimore  county. 
. John  Coleman,  Rector  of  St.  James's 

parish,  Baltimore. 
Elijah  D.  Rattoone,  D.  D.  residing 

in  Baltimore. 
John  Allen,  A.  M.  Rector  of  St. 

George's  parish,  Harford  county. 
•^—  George  D.  Handy,   Rector  of  St. 

John's  parish,  Harford  county. 
■I  Thomas   Read,  Rector  of  Prince 

George's  parish,  Montgomery  co. 
— —  George  Bower,  A.  M.   Rector  of 

All  Saints,  Washington  county. 
— —  Andrew  T.  M'Cormick,  i\eclor  of 

Washington  parish,  Columbia. 
John  I.  Sayres,  A.  M.   Minister  of 

St.  John's  church,  Washington  pa- 
rish, Columbia. 
*  John  Kewley,  M    D.  Rector  of 

Chester  parish,  Kert  covmty. 

Archibald  Walker,  D.  D.  Kent  co. 

William  Briscoe,  Deacon,  Kent  co. 

William  Duke,  A.  M.  residing  in  St. 

Mai-y  Anne's  pai-ish,  Cecil  county. 
*  Henry  Lyon  Davis,  A.  M.  Rector 

of  St.  Stephen's  parish,  Cecil  co. 


The  Rev.  Jolm  Hooker  Reynolds,  Rectijr 
of  St.  Paul's,  Queen  Anne's  county. 

Joseph  Jackson,  RcctorofSt.  PetePa 

parish,  Talbot  county. 

-  .Samuel  Keene,  D.  D.  Talbot  co. 
John  Price,  Talbot  county. 

— —  *  James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Rector  of 
Great  Choptank  parish,  Dorcliester 
county. 

■  William  Murray  Stone,  Rector  of 
Stepney  parish,  Somerset  county. 

— —  James  Laird,  A.  M.  Rector  of  So- 
merset parish,  Somerset  county. 

David  Ball,  Rector  of  All  Hallow's 

parish,  Worcester  county. 
Virginia. 

The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

(C5"  No  list  of  the  Clergy  was  received 
from  this  State. 
South  Carolina. 

The  Rev.  Edward  Jenkins,  D.  D.  Rector 
of  St.  Philip's,  Charleston. 

N.  Bowen,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's, 

Charleston, 

William  Percy,  D.  D.  officiating  at 

St.     Philip's    and    St.     Michael's, 
Charleston. 

J.  D.  Simons,  Deacon,  Charleston, 

— —  Thomas  Mills,  Rector  of  St.  An- 
drew's parish. 

Andrew    Fowler,    Rector  of  St. 

Bartholomew's. 

Galen  Hicks,  Rector  of  St  Helena's 

church  in  Beaufort. 

John  T.  Nankivel,  Rector  of  St 

Thomas  and  St.  Dennis. 

— —  Hugli   Fraser,  Rector  of  Prince 

Frederick's. 
Christopher  E.  Gadsden,  Deacon, 

St.  Jolin's,  Berkley. 

J.  T.  'i'sheudy.  Deacon,  Clermont. 

Gates,  D.  D.  residing  in  St. 

George's  parish,  Dorchester. 
— —     Milward     Pogson,    residing     in 

Charleston. 

Paul   'i' rapier    Gervais,   Deacon, 

Charleston. 

Vacant  Parishes  in  this  State  are. 
Prince  George  VVinyah,  Georgetown. 
St.  Stephen's,  Santee. 
St.  James's,  Goose  Creek. 
St.  George's,  Dorchester. 
St.  Jolm's,  Colkton. 
St.  Helena,  on  the  Island  of  St.  Helena. 
St.  Luke's. 
St.  Peter's. 
All  Saints. 
St.  Matthew's. 
Clurist  church. 

Most  of  them  able  and  willing  to  sup!- 
poit  Ministers. 


OCj*  Those  Clergymen  to  whom  this  mark  •  is  prefixed,  were  elected  mewUWS 
of  the  Standing  Comwiltee  at  the  last  Convention  in  this  diocese. 

M  m 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 


OP  THE 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY, 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCEf, 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA/ 


IN  A 


GENERAL  CONVENTION, 


HELD  IN 


The  City  of  New  Haven,  from  May  21,  to  May  24,  1811. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 

OV  THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 


From  the  State  of  New  Hampshire, 
The  Hon.  James  Sheafe. 

From  the  State  of  Massachusetts, 

Rev.  James  Bowers,  Rev.  William  Montague,  Rev.  John  S.  I. 
Gardiner,  Rev.  James  Morss,  Shubael  Bell. 

From  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 

Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  Rev.  Nathan  B.  Crocker,  Rev. 
Salmon  Wheaton,  Benjamin  Gardiner,  John  Russel. 

From  the  State  of  Vermont, 
Rev.  Abraham  Brunson,    Rev.  Parker  Adams,  Anson  J.  Sperry. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
Rev.  Bela  Hubbard,  D.  D.    Rev.  John  Kewley,  M.  D.  Rev. 
Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rev.  Henry  Whitlock,  Burrage  Beach,  Gene- 
ral Matthias  NicoU,  Colonel  William  Moseley. 

From  the  State  of  New  Tork, 
.  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D.  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  Rev.  Elias 
Cooper,  Hon.  Rufus  King,  Hon.  Philip  S.  Van  Rensellear,  Dr. 
John  Onderdonk. 

From  the  State  of  Nexv  Jersey. 
Rev.  Charles  H.Wharton,  D.D.  Rev.  John  Croes,  Rev.  John 
C.  Rudd,  Joshua  M.  Wallace,    Peter  Kean,   Edward  Carpenter, 
John  Dennis. 

From  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Rev.  Levi  Bull,  Hon.  James  Mil- 
nor,  P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D.  Thomas  M'Euen,  Ephraim  Clark. 

From  the  State  of  Maryland. 
Rev.  Joseph  G.  I.  Bend,  D.  D.    Rev.  George  Dashiell,  Rev. 
James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Rev.  Henry  I.yon  Davis,  George  Robertson, 
Edward  De  Courcy,  Joseph  Cotman. 


JOURNAL 


OF  THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES. 


Netv  Haven^  May  21, 1811. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Gene- 
ral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  several  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  attended  at 
ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  Trinity  church  ;  and  a  quorum  of  the  house 
being  present,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wharton  was  requested  to  take  the 
chair,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ilobart  to  act  as  Secretary  pro  tempore. 
The  House  then  proceeded  to  read  the  testimonials  of  the  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies  ;  which  were  severally  approved,  and  the 
following  gentlemen  took  their  seats  in  the  House. 
From  New  Hampshire^  the  Hon.  James  Sheafe. 
Froin  Massachusetts^  the  Rev.  James  Bowers,  and  the  Rev. 
William  Montague. 

From  Rhode  Island^  the  Rev.   Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  the 
Rev.  Nathan  B.  Crocker,  Benjamin  Gardiner,  and  John  Russel. 
From  Vermont^  the  Rev.   Abraham   Brunson — ^he  having  pre- 
viously presented  a  certificate  that  the  state  of  Vermont  had  ac- 
ceded to  the  constitution  of  this  church. 

From  Connecticut,  the  Rev.  Bela  Hubbard,  D.  D.  the  Rev. 
John  Kewley,  M.  D.  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Burrage  Beach,  Gen. 
Matthias  NicoU,  and  Col.  William  Moseley. 

From  New  Tork^  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D.  Hon.  Rufus 
Xing,  and  the  Hon.  Philip  S.  Van  Rensellear. 

From  New  Jersey^  the  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.  Rev. 
John  Croes,  Rev.  John  C.  Rudd,  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  and  Peter 
KLean. 

From  Pennsylvania^  the  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Rev. 
Levi  Bull,  Hon.  James  Milnor,  P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D.  Tho- 
mas M'Euen,  and  Ephraim  Clark. 

From  Maryland^  the  Rev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  D.  D.  Rev. 
Gtorge  Dashiell,  Rev.  James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Rev.  Henry  Lyon 
Davis,  George  Robertson,  Edward  Dc  Courcy,  and  Joseph 
Cotman. 

The  house  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  President  and  Secre- 
tary, when  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins  was  chosen 
president,  and  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing  diem 
that  this  house  was  organized  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

The  House  of  Bishops  returned  for  answer,  that  they  also  were 
organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

The  house  took  into  consideration  the  rules  of  order,  and  adopt- 
ed the  following : 


269 

1.  The  business  of  every  day  shall  be  introduced  with  the  moTn- 
ing  service  of  the  church. 

2.  When  the  President  takes  the  chair,  no  member  shall  con- 
tinue standing,  or  shall  afterwards  stand  up,  unless  to  address  the 
chai?^. 

3.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  the  service  of  the 
house,  unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  unable  to  attend. 

4.  When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  in  debate,  or  deliver 
any  matter  to  the  house,  he  shall,  with  due  respect,  address  him- 
self to  the  President,  confining  himself  strictly  to  the  point  in 
debate. 

5.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  the  same  debate, 
without  leave  of  the  house. 

6.  A  question  being  once  determined,  shall  stand  as  the  judg- 
ment of  the  house,  and  shall  not  be  again  drawn  into  debate  dur- 
ing the  same  session,  unless  with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the 
house. 

7.  While  the  President  is  putting  any  question,  the  members 
shall  continue  in  their  seats,  and  shall  not  hold  any  private  dis- 
course. 

8.  Every  member  who  shall  be  in  the  house  when  any  question 
is  put,  shall,  on  a  division,  be  counted,  unless  he  be  personally 
interested  in  the  decision. 

9.  No  motion  shall  be  considered  as  before  the  house,  unless  it 
be  seconded,  and,  when  required,  reduced  to  writing. 

10.  When  any  question  is  before  the  house,  it  shall  be  deter- 
mined on  before  any  thing  new  is  introduced,  except  the  question 
of  adjournment. 

11.  The  quesuon  on  a  motion  for  adjournment  shall  be  taken 
before  any  other,  and  without  debate. 

12.  When  the  house  is  about  to  rise,  every  member  shall  keep 
his  seat  until  the  President  shall  leave  his  chair. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  clergy  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  who  may  be  in  the  city  of  New  Haven,  and  who 
are  not  members  of  this  house,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  sittings  of 
the  same. 

This  house  resolved,  that  in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  who  had  been  appointed  to  open 
this  convention  with  a  sermon,  the  House  of  Bishops  be  requested 
to  appoint  one  of  their  number  to  perform  that  duty  ;  and  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Kemp  was  appointed  to  communicate  this  request  to 
the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp  returned  with  a  message  from  the  House 
of  Bishops,  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  AVhite  intends  to  open  the 
Convention,  with  a  discourse,  to-morrow,  at  the  hour  which  has 
been  appointed  for  divine  service. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  hour  of  meeting  each  day  shall 
be  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

This  House  adjourned,  to  meet  at  the  court-house  to-morrow. 


270 

Wtdnesday,  May  22,  1811. 

The  House  met. 

The  Rev.  Parker  Adams,  a  Clerical  Deputy,  and  Anson  J. 
Sperry,  a  Lay  Deputy  from  the  state  of  Vermont;  the  Rev.  John 
S.  I.  Gardiner,  and  the  Rev.  James  Morss,  Clerical  Dep'ities, 
and  Shubael  Bell,  a  Lay  Deputy,  from  Massachusetts ;  the  Rev. 
Isaac  Wilkins  and  the  Rev.  Elias  Cooper,  Clerical  Deputies,  and 
Dr.  John  Onderdonk,  a  Lay  Deputy  from  New  York;  the  Rev. 
Salmon  Wheaton,  a  Clerical  Deputy  from  Rhode  Island  ;  and 
the  Rev.  Henry  Whitlock,  a  Clerical  Deputy  from  Connecticut, 
appeared  and  took  their  seats. 

The  house  attended  divine  service  in  Trinity  church. 

The  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins  performed  divine  service,  and  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  preached  a  sermon  adapted  to  the  occa- 
sion of  the  meeting  of  the  Convention, 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

On  motion,  Resolved  unanimously^  That  the  thanks  of  the  Con- 
vention be  returned  to  the  Right  Rev  Bishop  White,  for  his  ser- 
mon preached  before  the  Convention  this  morning,  and  that  he 
be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  for  publication. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concurred  in  this  resolution,  and  in- 
formed this  house  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  would  fur- 
nish a  copy  of  his  sermon  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

On  motion,  by  the  Hon.  Rulus  King,  Resolved^  That  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  journals  of  a  special  Convention,  held  in 
Trinity  church,  New  York,  May  15,  1811,  be  entered  on  the 
journals  of  this  house  :  "  Resolved^  That  the  Convention  will  now 
proceed  to  the  choice  of  a  Bishop  ;  to  assist  Bishop  Moore  in 
the  duties  of  his  episcopal  office,  and  to  succeed  him  in  case  of 
survivorship.  The  Convention  then  proceeded  to  the  election ; 
and,  on  counting  the  ballots,  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  John  H. 
liobart,  D.  D.  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  both  orders." 

On  motion,  Resolved.,  That  this  house  will  now  proceed  to  sign 
the  testimonials  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D. 
Bishop  elect  of  the  state  of  New  York  ;  which  testimonials  were 
unanimously  signed  by  the  house,  agreeably  to  the  third  canon  of 
this  church. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner  made  a  communication  to  this  house, 
that  the  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold  had  been  canonically 
elected  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  composed  of  the  states  of  New 
Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island  and  Vermont. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  this  house  will  now  proceed  to 
sign  the  testimonials  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Gris- 
wold, Bishop  elect  of  the  eastern  diocese ;  which  testimonials 
were  unanimously  signed  by  the  house,  agreeably  to  the  third 
canon  of  this  church. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Thursday,  May  23,  1811. 
'J1ie  house  met. 


271 

John  Dennis  and  Edward  Carpenter,  Lay  Delegates  from  the 
state  of  New  Jersey,  appeared  and  took  their  seats. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Delegation  from  the  state  of  New 
York  be  requested  to  present  the  testimonials  signed  by  this  house 
in  favour  of  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D.  Bishop  elect,  to 
the  House  of  Bishops. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  delegation  from  the  states  of 
New  Hampshire,  ]\Iassachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Vermont, 
be  requested  to  present  to  the  House  of  Bishops  the  testimonials 
signed  by  this  house,  in  favor  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Gris- 
wold,  Bishop  elect. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Barrow  presented  a  certificate  of  his  appoint- 
ment to  attend  the  Convention,  signed  by  the  wardens  and  vestry 
of  the  episcopal  church  in  the  city  of  Savannah,  state  of  Georgia, 
which  was  read.  Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Georgia,  not  being  organized, 
and  not  having,  in  Convention,  acceded  to  the  constitution  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow  cannot  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  house, 
but  that  he  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  an  honorary  seat. 

This  day  being  the  festival  of  the  Ascension,  the  houoe  attended 
divine  service  in  Trinity  church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Pilmore  performed  service,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Wharton  delivered  a  sermon. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

The  house  of  Bishops  informed  this  house,  that  they  desired  an 
interview  with  the  deputies  of  the  churches  in  those  states  in  which 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Griswold  has  been  elected  to  the  episcopal  chair. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  deputies  from  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Vermont,  be  requested  to  wait 
on  the  House  of  Bishops. 

Agreeably  to  the  45th  canon  of  the  church,  the  journals  of  seve- 
ral State  Conventions  were  handed  into  the  house — the  parochial 
reports  and  episcopal  addresses  inserted  in  those  journals  were 
read  by  the  Secretary,  and  a  particular  inquiry  was  made  into 
the  state  of  the  church  in  each  diocese.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp, 
Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  Rev.  Mr.  Montague,  Dr.  Glentworth,  and 
Burrage  Beach,  Esq.  were  appointed  a  committee  to  lay  before 
this  house  a  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  agreeably  to  the  45th 
canon. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  house,  that  having  re- 
ceived from  them  the  testimonials  of  two  reverend  gentlemen 
elected  to  the  episcopacy,  they  lament  that  they  cannot  proceed  to 
the  consecration  of  those  two  reverend  gentlemen  during  the  ses- 
sion of  this  Convention,  there  being  only  two  Bishops  present ; 
but  they  propose  (God  willing)  to  carry  this  design  into  effect  In 
the  city  of  New  York,  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  risinr,  of  this 
Convention. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  this  house,  signed  by  Benajah 
Hawley,  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table; 


212 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  house,  in  reference  to 
the  object  of  the  appointment  of  a  committee  at  the  last  Con- 
vention to  act  in  the  recess,  for  the  devising  measures  for  sending 
a  Bishop  into  the  western  states,  that  whenever  the  said  business 
shall  be  taken  up  by  this  Convention,  the  House  of  Bishops  are 
in  possession  of  some  communications  which  they  think  worthy 
of  consideration. 

The  House  adjourned. 

Friday,  3Iay  26,  1811. 

The  house  met,  and  morning  service  was  performed  by  the  Se- 
cretary, in  Trinit)'  church. 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  General  Convention  on  the 
memorial  from  the  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  reported,  that  they  had  made  no 
progress  on  the  subject  of  their  appointment.  Whereupon,  Re- 
solved, That  inasmuch  as  this  house  has  received  information, 
that  the  object  of  said  committee  has  been  happily  accomplished, 
said  committee  is  consequently  discharged  from  any  further  at- 
tention to  this  business. 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  General  Convention  to 
address  the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other  purposes, 
made  the  following  report,  which  was  read,  and  sent  to  the  House 
of  Bishops. 

"  The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  General  Convention  to 
address  the  church  in  certain  districts,  and  for  other  purposes, 
report,  that  a  quorum  of  the  said  committee  resident  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  met,  and  appointed  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore 
to  draft  and  to  transmit  the  several  addresses  specified  in  the 
first  tlu-ee  resolutions.  This  duty  was  discharged  by  him  accord- 
ingly. The  committee  not  having  any  reasonable  prospect  of 
accomplishing  the  object  contemplated  in  the  4th  resolution,  of 
sending  a  Bishop  into  those  states  or  territories  which  have  not 
acceded  to  the  constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  did  not  proceed  to  elect  a  person 
to  said  office,  or  to  take  any  measures  in  that  business. 

"  JOHN  H.  HOBART,  Secretary  of  the  commmittee.'' 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  cer- 
tain documents  on  the  subject  of  a  western  episcopacy,  which  were 
read. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  documents  from  the  House  of 
Bishops,  relative  to  the  western  episcopac} ,  be  returned  to  them, 
with  a  request  from  this  house,  that  they  will  take  what  order  on 
the  subject  they  may  deem  adviseable. 

There  was  laid  before  this  house,  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  a 
petition,  addressed  to  this  Convention,  by  the  Rev.  William 
Smith,  D.  D.  of  Norwalk,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  relative  to 
a  book  of  music  composed  by  him,  entitled,  "  The  Churchman*^? 


273 

Choral  Companion  to  his  Prayer  Book."  Whereupon,  Resolved* 
That  it  is  inexpedient  to  take  any  order  on  that  subject ;  which  re* 
solve  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  proposed  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  the  appointment  of  a  committee  for  further  atten- 
tion to  the  object  of  the  4th  resolution  (recorded  page  14  in*  the 
journal  of  the  last  Convention,)  and  that  the  Bishops  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia  be  requested  to  correspond  with  each  other, 
for  the  devising  means  whereby  the  congregations  west  of  tlie  Al- 
legheny mountains  may  be  benefited  by  any  measures  to  be  adopt- 
ed by  the  committee,  the  appointment  of  which  is  hereby  recom- 
mended. 

The  foregoing  communication  was  considered  by  this  house  ; 
Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  the  Bishops  in  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia be  requested  to  devise  means  for  supplying  the  congregations 
of  this  church,  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  with  the  minis- 
trations and  worship  of  the  same,  and  for  the  organizing  the 
church  in  the  western  states, — any  thing  in  the  37th  canon  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding.  The  foregoing  resolves  were  ordered 
to  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  petition,  signed  by  Benajah  Hawley,  which  was  yesterday 
read  before  the  house,  was  again  considered. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  house,  that 
the  prayer  of  the  petitioner  cannot  be  granted,  and  that  he  have 
leave  to  withdraw  his  petition. 

A  memorial,  signed  by  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Benham  and  the 
Kev.  Virgil  H.  Barber,  was  presented  to  this  house,  and  read  by 
the  Secretary. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  take  any  order 
on  the  aforesaid  memorial. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  presiding  Bishop  of  the  House 
of  Bishops  be  respectfully  requested  to  address  a  letter,  in  behalf 
of  this  Convention,  to  the  venerable  society  in  England  for  pro- 
pagating the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  informing  them  that  the 
church  in  the  state  of  Vermont  is  duly  organized,  and  in  union 
with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States,  being 
placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Vermont.  That  a  board  of 
trustees  of  donations  to  the  church  has  been  incorporated  in  the 
state  of  Massachusetts ;  and  that,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Conven- 
tion, the  society  may  safely  confide  the  care  of  their  lands  in  Ver- 
mont to  such  attorney  or  attomies  as  may  be  recommended  by 
the  said  board  of  trustees,  and  approved  by  the  Ecclesiastical  Con- 
vention of  Vermont. 

The  foregoing  resolution  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  House 
of  Bishops. 

A  canon  repealing  the  46th  canon,  for  making  known  the  con- 
stitution and  canons  of  this  church,  was  proposed  and  adopted. 
*  Page  253  of  this  editipn. 

N  n 


274 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bend  was  requested  to  caity  the  ahovfe  ttoon  to 
the  House  of  Bishops,  who  returned  it  with  their  concurrence. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  following  addition  to  the  8th 
article  of  the  constitution,  proposed  at  the  last  General  Conven- 
tion, be  agreed  to. 

*•-  Ko  alteration  or  addition  shall  be  made  in  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer,  or  other  offices  of  the  church,  unless  the  same  shall 
be  proposed  in  one  General  Convention,  and  by  a  resolve  thereof 
made  known  to  the  Convention  of  every  diocese  or  state,  and 
adopted  at  the  subsequent  General  Convention ;"  which  resolu- 
tion was  directed  to  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  this  house,  that  they  concur 
Vrith  them  in  the  proposed  addition  to  the  8th  article  of  the  con- 
stitution. 

The  House  of  Bishops  inform  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  that  the  presiding  Bishop  undertakes  (God  willing)  to 
perform  the  service  requested  of  him,  in  relation  to  certain  lands 
in  Vermont  belonging  to  the  venerable  society  in  England,  for  the 
propagation  of  the  gospel. 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  resolution  passed  by  the  last 
Convention  on  the  subject  of  duelling,  be  considered  as  not  pre- 
cluding any  minister  from  performing  the  burial  service,  when 
the  person  giving  or  receiving  a  challenge  has  afterwards  exhibit- 
ed evidences  of  sincere  repentance. 

The  foregoing  resolve  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and 
returned  with  their  concurrence. 

Resolved^  That  when  this  house  shall  adjourn,  they  will  adjoura 
to  meet  at  7  o'clock  this  evening. 

Leave  of  absence  was  granted  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Croes,  and  Au" 
«on  J.  Sperry,  Esquire,  during  the  remainder  of  the  session. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Friday,  7  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  house  met. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  city  of  Philadelphia  be  the  place 
for  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention,  which  will  be  held 
on  the  third  Tuesday  in  May,  1814;  which  resolve  was  ordered 
to  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  report  of  the  state  of  the 
churchf  to  be  laid  before  the  House  of  Bishops,  made  the  follow- 
ing rt-port,  which  was  read  and  accepted,  and  directed  to  be 
sent  to  that  house. 

**  The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  compliance 
with  the  requisitions  of  the  45th  canon,  have  taken  a  general  view 
of  the  state  of  the  church,  and  respectfully  offer  to  the  House  of 
Bishops  the  result  of  their  enquiries.  Time  would  not  admit  them 
to  enter  into  a  minute  detail  ot  every  particular ;  but,  from  the 
few  observations  they  have  made,  and  the  documents  that  will  ac- 
company them,  they  hope  the  House  of  Bishops  will  be  able  to 


275 

o«inply  with  the  requisition  of  the  above-mentioned  canon,  in  re- 
gard to  a  pastoral  letter. 

New  Hampshire. — "  The  number  of  churches  in  this  state  has 
not  increased,  but  respect  for,  and  attachment  to  the  church, 
aeems  to  be  growing  in  several  places ;  and  were  there  more  minis- 
ters, there  is  reason  to  hope  that  it  would  soon  be  in  a  state  of 
prosperity. 

Massachusetts.'^^^  In  some  parts  of  this  commonwealth,  it  is 
greatly  to  be  lamented,  that  the  churches  are  in  a  state  of  derange- 
ment and  decay ;  while  in  other  places  the  congregations  have  in- 
creased. 

Rhode  Island, — "  The  congregations  in  this  state,  though  few, 
are  large,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  church  in  Narraganset, 
there  appears  to  be  a  degree  of  zeal  and  regularity  that  promises 
the  happiest  effect. 

Vermont. — "  We  are  highly  gratified  to  find  that  the  church  in 
this  state  is  now  organized,  and  that  zealous  exertions  are  making 
to  promote  its  interest  and  advancement. 

Eastern  Diocese  in  general. — ^"  Although  in  these  states,  now 
formed  into  a  diocese,  some  irregularities  have  taken  place,  and 
there  has  been  a  want  of  attention  to  the  canons  and  rules  of  the 
church,  particularly  to  the  canon  which  requires  parochial  re- 
ports to  be  made,  yet  the  arrangements  lately  formed,  and  the  ex-» 
ertions  made  to  organize  the  church,  and  to  obtain  for  it  an  epis- 
copal head,  yield  a  ground  of  hope  that  this  branch  of  the  church 
of  Christ  will  not  only  preserve,  but  even  extend  more  and  more 
the  light  of  the  blessed  gospel. 

Connecticut. — ^'*  In  Connecticut,  we  have  reason  to  believe  that 
the  canons  and  rules  of  the  church  are  duly  observed.  Since  the 
last  General  Convention,  between  four  and  five  hundred  families 
have  been  added  to  the  church  ;  the  congregations  are  in  a  flou- 
rishing condition;  a  number  of  new  churches  have  been  built;  and 
with  the  zeal  and  exertions  of  the  clergy,  we  may  cherish  the  ex- 
pectation, that  the  power,  as  well  as  the  form  of  godliness,  will 
greatly  advance. 

New  Tork.—*"^  Here  it  is  believed  that  the  church  is  orderly  and 
regular.  Congregations  are  every  year  forming,  and  the  old  ones 
seem  to  maintain  their  usual  ground.  In  the  city  of  New  York, 
in  particular,  several  new  churches  have  been  built,  and  in  the  dio- 
cese in  general,  prosperity  seems  to  attend  the  church. 

New  Jersey. — "  In  this  state  the  church  appears  to  conduct  her 
affairs  with  regularity  and  attention.  The  congregations  are  not 
numerous,  but  they  are  generally  orderly  and  attentive. 

Pennsylvania. — "  From  the  documents  laid  before  us,  it  ap- 
pears that,  although  the  Bishop  has  called  the  attention  of  the 
Clergy  to  the  requisition  of  the  45th  canon,  still  they  have  not 
presented  their  parochial  reports,  and  the  Convention  is  very  par- 
tially attended.  Many,  however,  ot  the  Clergy  and  Laity  are  zea- 
lous and  attentive.  In  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  some  of 
the  neighbouring  counties,  new  congregations  have  been  formed^ 


276 

and  churches  built,  and  the  affairs  of  the  church  are  managed  with 

attention  and  regularity. 

Maryland. — "  The  church  in  Maryland  is  still  in  a  deplorable 
condition;  the  zeal,  ho\'vever,  manifested  in  some  parts  of  the 
state,  yield  a  hope  that  she  will  again  rise»  and  become  a  distin- 
guished part  of  the  church  in  the  United  States. 

"  There  being  no  representation  from  the  states  of  Delaware, 
Virginia,  and  South  Carolina,  and  no  copies  of  the  journals  of 
the  Conventions  of  those  states,  this  house  are  unable  to  speak 
with  certainty  as  to  the  situation  of  the  churches  in  those  districts. 
They  fear,  indeed,  that  the  church  in  Virginia  is,  from  various 
causes,  so  depressed,  that  there  is  danger  of  her  total  ruin,  un- 
less great  exertions,  favoured  by  the  blessing  of  Providence,  are 
employed  to  raise  her.  In  South  Carolina,  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  a  lively  zeal  for  the  interests  of  the  church  prevails, 
which,  guided  by  sound  principles,  has  already  suggested  vari- 
ous measures,  which  promise  great  and  lasting  benefit.  The 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  beg  leave  to  observe  to  the 
House  of  Bishops,  that  while  the  review  in  which  they  have  been 
engaged  of  the  state  of  the  church,  affords  too  much  cause  for  de- 
ploring her  declension  in  some  places  where  she  once  flourished, 
her  prosperity  in  other  parts,  and  her  general  situation,  justify  the 
most  sanguine  hopes  of  her  friends.  With  an  increasing  attach- 
ment to  her  apostolic  ministry,  and  her  primitive  forms,  they  trust 
there  is  a  corresponding  mcrease  of  that  power  of  godliness,  which 
the  outward  order  of  the  church  is  designed  to  excite  and  nourish. 

"  They  pray  for  the  church  and  for  themselves,  your  counsel, 
and  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God. 

*'  Signed  bt/  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

"  ISAAC  WILKINS,  President." 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  this  Conventioji  have  understood, 
with  satisfaction,  that  the  Convention  of  the  church  in  Connecticut 
are  engaged  in  obtaining  for  the  Episcopal  Academy  in  that  state, 
a  charter ;  empowering  the  trustees  to  grant  degrees  and  this 
Convention  do  express  their  earnest  wish  for  the  success  of  this 
measure.  This  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  and 
returned  with  their  concurrence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  informing 
this  house,  that  they  concur  with  them  in  appointing  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  for  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention. 

A  "  pastoral  address,"  prepared  in  pursuance  of  the  45th  canon, 
was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  requested 
to  appoint  one  of  their  own  order  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  next  General  Convention ;  which  was  sent  to  the  House 
of  Bishops,  and  returned  with  the  following  message  : — 

"  The  House  of  Bishops  state  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  that  they  hope,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  for  the  at- 
tendance of  their  brother,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  at  the 


AW* 

2/  4 

next  General  Convention,  and  for  his  performance  of  tHe  duty- 
looked  for  from  him,  had  his  health  permitted  him,  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  present.  But  should  there  be  a  disappointment  in  this 
respect,  the  two  Bishops  now  present  (God  willing)  intend  to 
provide  by  correspondence  between  themselves,  or  with  some  one 
of  their  Right  Reverend  brethren,  for  the  performance  of  this 
duty." 

On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  Secretary  of  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies  prepare  the  journals  of  this  Convention 
for  publication ;  and  that  the  said  Secretary,  with  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Hobart,  the  Hon.  Rufus  King,  and  Dr.  John  Onderdonk,  be  a 
committee  to  publish  the  same,  together  with  the  sermon  preach- 
ed at  the  opening  of  the  Convention,  and  the  pastoral  address  of 
the  House  of  Bishops. 

'    On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  present- 
ed to  the  President  and  Secretarv. 

ISAAC  WILKINS,  President. 
Attested.     Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

^  City  of  New  Haven^  Tuesday ,  3Iay  21,  1811. 
THIS  being  the  day  appointed  by  the  constitution  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  for 
the  meeting  of  the  General  Convention  of  said  church;  and 
agreeably  to  a  resolve  of  the  last  General  Convention  of  the 
church,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  the  city  of  New  Haven  being  ap- 
pointed the  place  of  meeting,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  AVhite,  of 
Pennsylvania,  andthe  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  of  Connecticut, 
met  in  Trinity  Church,  in  the  aforesaid  city.  It  appeared  that 
Bishop  Claggett,  who  engaged  to  open  the  Convention  with  a 
sermon,  had  left  his  place  of  residence,  on  his  way  to  this  city, 
but  was  obliged  by  indisposition  to  return. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore,  were  prevented  from  attending  by  bodily  disability,  and 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Madison  by  engagements,  which,  in  his 
estimation,  did  not  admit  of  being  dispensed  with  at  this  time. 

The  House  of  Bishops  received  a  communication  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  in- 
forming them  that  they  were  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to 
business.  Dr.  Bend  was  desired  to  inform  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the  House  of  Bishops  was  also  ready. 

This  house  was  informed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  that  it  was 
the  desire  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  the 
House  of  Bishops  would  provide  one  of  their  own  order  to  deliver 
a  sermon  to-morrow  morning  at  ten  o'clock.  They  returned  for 
answer,  that  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  would  deliver  a  dis- 
course at  the  afore-mentioned  time. 

Resolved,  That  this  house  attend  divine  service  with  the  Hous^- 
•f  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  during  the  session. 


278 

Resolved^  That  this  house  adjourn  to  9  o'clock  to-mortow 
morning,  to  meet  in  the  State  House. 

Wednesday^  9  o*clock^  A,  M* 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present  as  yesterday. 

This  house  was  informed,  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Hubbard,  that  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  were  ready  to  proceed  to 
church  for  divine  service.  This  house  joined  the  procession,  and 
went  to  Trinity  church.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilkins  read  prayers, 
and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  delivered  a  sermon.  After 
divine  service  they  returned  to  the  State  House. 

Resolved^  That  the  Rev.  Philo  Shelton  act  as  Secretary  to  thi^s 
house. 

A  message  was  received,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  from  the  Hou^e 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  they  returned  the  thanks  of  that 
house  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  for  his  sermon  delivered 
this  day  before  the  Convention,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish a  copy  for  publication. 

Their  request  was  complied  with. 

This  house  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday^  9  o'clock^  A.  M, 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  Present  as  yesterday. 
At  10  o'clock  this  house  joined  the  procession  of  Clerical  andi 
Lay  Deputies,  and  went  to  Trinity  church,  where  divine  service 
was  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pilmore,  and  a  sermon  delivered  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Wharton ;  they  then  returned  to  the  State  House,  and 
resumed  their  business. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, the  testimonials  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart, 
D.  D.  as  Bishop  elect  for  the  diocese  of  New  York  ;  also  testimo- 
nials in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  for  the 
churches  of  Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Vermont. 

In  reference  to  the  election  of  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.  D. 
there  was  laid  before  this  house  the  following  letter  froixi  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore. 

"  New  York^  May  18, 1811. 
**  Brethren, 

**  You  will  perceive  by  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention 
lately  held  in  this  state,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Henry  Hobart 
has  been  elected  assistant  Bishop  in  this  diocese.  My  design  ia 
addressing  these  few  lines  to  you,  is  to  express  my  heart-felt  ap- 
probation of  the  above  measure. 

**  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"BENJAMIN  MOORE. 
"  By  his  son  Clement  C.  Moore. 
•*'  To  the  Right  Rev.  the  Bishops  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  assembled  in  General 
Convention,  at  New  Haven,  in  Connecticut." 


279 

It  not  ap]itaving  on  the  faee  of  thfc  testimonials  of  the  Rev. 
Alexander  V.  Griswold,  how  tar  the  iJonvention  of  the  churches, 
for  which  he  was  elected,  had  given  their  respective  sanctions  to 
his  election,  this  house  sent  the  following  message  to  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

"  The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  are  informed  by 
the  House  of  Bishops,  that  they  desire  an  interview  with  the  de- 
puties of  the  churches  in  those  states  in  which  the  Rev,  Alexan- 
der V.  Griswold  has  been  elected  to  the  episcopal  chair." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  message,  there  appeared  frorti  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  a  delegation  from  Massachu- 
setts, New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  which  gave  this  house  satis- 
faction,  that  the  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Griswold  was  unanimously 
elected  by  the  Convention  of  the  church  in  Massachusetts,  and  so 
far  as  the  election  affected  the  church  in  the  other  states,  it  was 
concurred  in  by  their  respective  Conventions,  and  reported  to  their 
several  constituents,  and  approved  of  by  them.  With  this  evi- 
ence  the  house  was  satisfied. 

On  the  subject  of  the  consecration  of  the  Bishops  elect,  the  houM 
sent  the  following  message  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties. 

**The  House  of  Bishops  inform  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  that  having  received  from  them  the  testimonials  of  two 
reverend  gentlemen,  elected  to  the  episcopacy,  they  lament  that 
they  cannot  proceed  to  the  consecration  of  those  two  reverend 
gentlemen  during  the  session  of  this  Convention,  there  being  only 
two  Bishops  present;  but  they  propose  (God  willing)  to  carry 
this  design  mto  effect  in  the  city  of  New  York,  as  soon  as  possible 
after  the  rising  of  this  Convention." 

The  House  of  Bishops  inform  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  in  reference  to  the  object  of  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee to  act  in  the  recess,  for  the  devising  of  measures  for  the 
sending  of  a  Bishop  into  the  western  states,  that  whenever  the  said 
business  shall  be  taken  up  by  this  Convention,  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops are  in  possession  of  some  communications  which  they  think 
worthy  of  consideration. 

This  house  adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morrow,  A.  M» 

Friday y  9  o'clock^  A.  M. 

The  house,  after  attending  divine  service  in  Trinity  church, 
met  in  the  State  House.     Present  as  the  day  before. 

This  house  received,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  a  message  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  with  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  documents  from  the  House  of  Bishops 
relative  to  the  western  episcopacy,  be  returned  to  them,  with  the 
request  of  this  house,  that  they  will  take  what  order  upon  this 
subject  they  may  deem  adviseable." 

There  was  laid  before  this  house  and  read,  a  letter  addressed  to 
koth  houses,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  residing  in  Norwalk,  in  this 


280 

state,  relative  to  a  book  of  music  composed  by  him,  called,  "  The 
Churchman's  Choral  Companion  to  his  Prayer  Book." 

Resolved^  That  the  said  letter  be  communicated  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies ;  which  was  accordingly  done  by  their 
Secretary. 

The  following  message  was  received,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davis, 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

"  There  was  laid  before  this  house,  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  a 
petition  addressed  to  this  Convention,  by  the  Rev.  William  Smith, 
D.  D.  residing  in  Norwalk,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  relative 
to  a  book  of  music  composed  by  him,  entitled,  '  The  Church- 
man's Choral  Companion  to  his  Prayer  Book.' 

Resolved^  That  it  is  inexpedient  for  the  Convention  to  take  any 
order  on  the  subject" 

Resolved^  That  in  the  above  resolution  this  house  concur. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  report  from  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  General 
Convention  to  address  the  church  in  the  western  districts,  and  for 
other  purposes. 

The  following  message  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  : 

"  The  House  of  Bishops  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  the  appointment  of  a  committee  for  further  attention 
to  the  object  of  the  4th  resolution  (recorded  page  14*  in  the  jour- 
nal of  the  last  Convention,)  and  that  the  Bishops  in  Pennsylva- 
nia and  Virginia  be  requested  to  correspond  with  each  other, 
for  the  devising  means  whereby  the  congregations  in  those  states 
westward  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  may  be  benefited  by  any 
measures  to  be  adopted  by  the  committee,  the  appointing  of  which 
is  hereby  recommended." 

This  house  received,  by  Dr.  Kemp,  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved^  That  the  Bishops  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  be 
requested  to  devise  means  for  supplying  the  congregations  of  this 
church  west  of  the  Allegany  mountains,  with  the  ministrations  and 
worship  of  the  same,  and  for  organizing  the  church  in  the  western 
states,  any  thing  in  the  STth  canon  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing." 

The  above  resolution  was  concurred  in  by  this  house. 

This  house  received,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hubbard,  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  the  following  resolve  : 

"  Resolved^  That  the  presiding  Bishop  of  the  House  of  Bishops 
be  respectfully  requested  to  address  a  letter,  in  behalf  of  this 
Convention,  to  the  venerable  society  in  England  for  propagating 
the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  informing  them  that  the  church  in  the 
state  of  Vermont  is  duly  organized,  and  in  union  with  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States  of  America,  being 

*  Page  253  of  tliis  edition. 


281 

placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese  of  New 
Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Vermont.  That 
a  board  of  trustees  of  donations  to  the  church  has  been  incorpo- 
rated in  the  state  of  Massachusetts  ;  and  that,  in  the  opinion  of 
this  Convention,  the  society  may  safely  confide  the  care  of  their 
lands  in  Vermont  to  such  attorney  or  attornies  as  may  be  recom- 
mended by  the  said  board  of  trustees,  and  approved  of  by  the  Ec- 
clesiastical Convention  of  Vermont." 

The  House  of  Bishops  informed  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  that  the  presiding  Bishop  will,  by  the  providence  of 
Almighty  God,  perform  the  services  requested  of  him,  in  relation 
to  certain  lands  in  Vermont,  belonging  to  the  venerable  society  of 
England  for  propagating  the  gospel. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties a  proposed  canon,  repealing  the  tGth  canon  for  making  known 
the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concur  with  tHe  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  in  the  repealing  the  aforesaid  canon. 

The  House  of  Bishops  concur  with  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  in  the  proposed  addition  to  the  8th  article  of  the 
constitution  by  them  resolved,  viz. 

"  Resolved^  That  the  following  addition  to  the  8th  article  of  the 
constitution,  proposed  at  the  last  General  Convention,  be  agreed 
to. 

"  No  alteration  or  addition  shall  be  made  in  the  book  of  common 
prayer,  or  other  offices  of  the  church,  unless  the  same  shall  be 
proposed  in  one  General  Convention,  and  by  a  resolve  thereof 
made  known  to  the  Convention  of  every  diocese  or  state,  and 
adopted  at  the  subsequent  General  Convention." 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  resolution  on  the  subject  of  duelling,  in  which  resolution 
this  house  concurred. 

This  house  adjourned  to  meet  at  7  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Friday^  7  o'clock^  P.  M, 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  the  hand  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  fiend,  the  following  resolu- 
tion : 

"  On  motion,  Resolved^  That  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention  be  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia." 

In  the  above  resolution  this  house  concur. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, the  following  resolve : 

"  Resolved^  That  this  Convention  have  understood,  with  satis- 
faction, that  the  Convention  of  the  church  in  Connecticut  are  en- 
gaged in  obtaining  for  the  episcopal  academy  in  Cheshire,  a 
charter,  empowering  the  trustees  to  grant  degrees ;  and  this  Con- 
vention do  express  their  earnest  wish  for  the  success  of  this  mea- 
sure." O  o 


282 

In  the  above  resolve  this  house  concur. 

The  House  of  Bishops,  agreeably  to  the  45th  canon,  providing 
for  a  review  of  the  state  of  the  church,  adopted  a  pastoral  ad- 
dress ;  which  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

This  house  received,  by  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hubbard, 
from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  a  resolve  in  the 
following  words  : 

*^  Resolved^  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  requtsted  to  appoint 
one  of  their  own  order  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the 
next  General  Convention." 

This  house  state  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 
that  they  hope,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  for  the  attendance  of 
their  brother,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett,  at  the  next  Gene- 
ral Convention,  and  for  his  performance  of  the  duty  looked  lor 
from  him,  had  his  health  permitted,  at  the  opening  of  the  present. 
But  should  there  be  a  disappointment  in  this  respect,  the  two  Bi- 
shops now  present  (God 'willing)  intend  to  provide,  by  correspon- 
dence between  themselves,  or  with  some  one  of  their  Right  Reve- 
rend brethren,  for  the  performance  of  that  duty. 

The  house  adjourned. 

Signed  by  Order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 

Attested.     Philo  Shelton,   Secretary. 

Canon  repealing  the  46th  Canon. 

The  46th  canon,  providing  for  making  known  the  constitution 
and  canons  of  the  church,  is  hereby  repealed. 

Additio7i  t9  the  8th  Article  of  the  Constitution. 

No  alteration  or  addition  shall  be  made  in  the  book  of  common 
prayer,  or  other  offices  of  the  church,  unless  the  same  shall  be 
proposed  in  one  General  Convention,  and  by  a  resolve  thereof 
made  known  to  the  Convention  of  every  diocese  or  state,  and 
adopted  at  the  subsequent  General  Convention. 

House  of  Clerical  arid  Lay  Deputies^ 

ISAAC  WILKINS,  President. 
Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

House  of  Bishops, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 
Philo  Shelton,  Secretary. 

The  following  Clergy  attended  the  General  Convention,  and 
were  admitted  to  the  sittings  of  the  Ilottse  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies. 

From  Georgia,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow. 

From  Virginia,  the  Rev.  William  Gibson. 

From  Maryland,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Norris. 

From  Nexv  Jersey,  the  Rev.  Simon  Wilmer. 


283  . 

From  New  Tork^  the  Rev.  Thomas  Lyell,  Rev.  Samuel  F. 
Jarvis. 

From  Connecticut^  the  Rev.  Elijah  G.  Plumb,  Rev.  Benjamin 
Benham,  Rev.  Daniel  Burhans,  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Calvin  White,  Rev.  Russcl  "Wheeler,  Rev.  Virgil  H.  Barber, 
Rev.  Truman  Marsh,  Rev.  Chauncy  Prindle,  Rev.  Tillotson  Bron- 
son,  Rev.  Joseph  D.  Welton,  Rev.  Roger  Searle,  Rev.  Menzies 
Rayner,  Rev.  Smith  Miles,  Rev.  John  Tyler,  Rev.  Charles  Sea- 
bury,  Rev.  Solomon  Blakely,  Rev.  David  Baldwin,  Rev.  Daniel 
M'Donald,  Rev.  Isaac  Jones. 

Fro}n  Massachusetts,  the  Rev.  Asa  Eaton. 


List  of  the  Clergy  of  the   Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in   the 
United  States  of  America, 

Delivered  in  and  published  agreeably  to  the  canons,  1808. 


Eastern  Diocese. 
Composed  of  the  states  of  Massachu- 
setts, Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire 
and  Vermont. 
Tlie  Rig-ht  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Gris- 
wold.  Bishop. 

i'Wto  Hampshire. 

The  Rev.  Charles  Burroug-hs,    Deacon, 

St.  Jolin's  church,  Portsmouth. 

John  H.  Fowlc,  Rector  of 

church,  Holdernesse. 

Daniei  Barber,  Rector  of 

chureh,  Clermont. 

Mr.  Catlin,  officiates  at  Plainfield. 

— —  Samuel  Mead. 

JMassdchusetts. 
The  Rev.  John    Sylvester  I.    Gardiner, 
Rector  of  Trinity  church,  Boston 

Asa  Eaton,  Rector  of  Christ  church, 

Boston. 

Nathaniel  Fisher,  Rector   of  St. 

Peter's  church,  Salem. 

James  Bowers,   Rector  of  St.  Mi- 

chad's  church,  Marblehead. 

William  Montag-ue,  Rector  of  St. 

Paid's  church,  Dedliam. 

James  Morss,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's 

church,  Nev/buryport. 
Amos  Purdy,  Hector  of  St.  Luke's 

church,  Lanesboroutrh. 
Griswold,  Rector  of  St.  James's 

church.  Great  Barrington,  and  the 

chui-ch  at  Lenox. 
St.  Michael's  church,  Scituate,  and  St. 

Peter's,  Marshfield,  vacant. 
St.  Ann's  church,  Gardiner,  vacant. 
The  church  at  Portland  vacant. 
The  clnirch  at  Hanover  vacant. 

Rhode  Island. 
The  Right  Rev.  AlexjinderV.  Griswold, 
Rector  of  St.  Michael's  church,  Bristol. 


The   Rev.  Nathan  B.  Crocker,  Rector 
of  St.  John's  church.  Providence. 

Salmon  Wheaton,   Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church,  Newport. 

Vermont. 
The  Rev.  Abraham  Brunson,  Manches- 
ter and  Arlington. 

Parker  Adams,  Deacon,  Vergei*- 

nes,  Middlehuiy,  and  Charlotte. 

Connecticut. 
The  Riglit  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D. 

Bisliop. 
The  Rev.  Tillotson  Bronson,    Principal 

of  tlie   Episcopal  Academy,  Ches- 

hire. 

Ricliard  Mansfield,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

Christ  church,  Derby,  and  the 
churches  of  Oxford  and  Great  Hill. 

Bela    Hubbard,    D.   D.  Rector  of 

Trinity  church.  New  Haven,  and 
Cln-ist  church,  SVest  Haven. 

John  Tylei-,  Rector  of  Christ  church, 

Norwich. 

Daniel  Fog-g-,  Rector  of . — -. 

church,  Pomfret. 

Philo    Shelton,   Rector  of  Trinity 

chiu-cli.  Fail-field,  St.  John's  church, 
Stratfield,  and  the  church  at  Wes- 
ton. 

Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rect<)r  of  Christ's 

church,  Stratford,  and  Trinity 
chiu-ch,  Trumbull. 

Chauncy  Prindle,    Rector    of  the 

churches  of  Oxford  and  Salem. 

Reuben  Ives,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Cheshire,  .and  ofliciating  in 
the  churches  in  Hambden  and  Wal- 
lingford 

Truman  Marsh,  Rector  of  the  As- 
sociated churches  in  Litchfield. 
Daniel  Burhans,  Rector  of  Trinity 


284 


cliurcli,  Newtown,  and  St.  Luke's, 

Brookfield, 
The  Rev.  Solomon  Blakesley,  Rector  of 

St.  Stephen's  church.  East  Haddam. 
— —    Charles   Seabury,   Rector   of  St. 

James's  church.  New  London. 
Smith  Miles,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es of  Chatham,  and  middle  Haddam. 
..    .  Menzies   Rayner,  Rector   of  tlie 

church,  Hartford. 
Calvin  White,  Assistant  Minister 

of  the  church  in  Derby. 

John    Kewley,  M.  D.  Rector   of 

Christ  church,  Middletown. 

Henry  Whitlock,   Rector   of  St. 

Paul's  church,    Norwalk,  and  the 
church  at  Wilton. 

—— Rosier  Searel,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  Plymouth,  and  St,  Mat- 
thew's, Bristol. 

— ^  Vu-gil  H.  Barber,  Rector  of  St. 
Jolm's  church,  Waterbury. 

Russel  Wheeler,  Rector  of  Christ 

church,  Watertown. 

■  ■  Asa  Cornwall,  Rector  of  the 
churches  in  Simsbury  and  Granby. 

Elijah  G.  Plumb,  Minister   of  the 

churches  in  Reading^,  Danbury,  and 
Ridgefield. 
.  I  '  Benjamin  Benham,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church,  New  Milford,  and 
the  churches  of  New  Preston  and 
Bridgewater, 

David   Baldwin,    Rector    of  the 

churches  of  Guildford  and  North 
Bristol. 

— —  Joseph  D.  Welton,  officiating  in  the 
churches  of  Woodbury,  Roxbury, 
and  Bettilehem. 

Sturgis  Gilbert,  officiating  in  the 

churches  of  Kent  and  Sharon. 

— —  Daniel  M'Donald,  Deacon,  an  As- 
sistant Instructor  in  the  Episcopal 
Academy,  Cheshire. 
..      Nathaniel  Huse,  Deacon,  officiating 
at  Warehouse  Point. 

William  Smith,  D.  D.  resident  at 

Norwalk. 

JVeiu  York. 

The  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provobst,  D,  D. 
Bishop. 

Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Bishop. 

John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D.  Bishop. 

The  Kev.  Amos  G.  Baldwin,  Rector  of 
Trinity  church,  Utica, 

Theodosius    B..artow,    Rector    of 

Trinity  church.  New  Rochelle. 

rdmund  D.  Bariy,  Principal  of  the 

Protestant  Episcopal  •  Academy, 
New  York ;  officiating  at  St.  Mat- 
tliew's  churcli,  city  of  Jersey. 

. Abraham  Beach,   D.  D.    Assistant 

Rector  of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 

— »—  Wilham  Berriuii,  Deacon,  residing 


in  New  York;  officiating  atBelville, 
New  Jersey. 
The  Rev.  John  Bowden,  D.  D.  Professor 
of  Rhetoric  and  Moral  Philosophy 
in  Columbia  College. 

Natlianael     Bowen,     Rector    of 

Grace  church,  New  York. 

David  Butler,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's 

church,  Troy,  and  Trinity  church, 
Lansinburgh. 

Barzillai  Bulkeley,  Rector  of  St. 

George's  church.  Flushing,  Long 
Island. 

Nathan  B.  Burgess,  Caroline  clvurch, 

Brookhaven,  Long  Island. 
. WUUam  Clark,  Deacon,  Missionary. 

Timothy  Clowes,  Deacon,  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Albany. 

Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Yonkers. 
Joab   G.   Cooper,   Christ  church, 

Hudson,  Columbia  county. 
Adam  Empie,  Deacon,  Hempstead, 

Long  Island. 
Henry  I.  Feltus,  Rector  of  St.  Ann's 

church,  Brooklyn,  Long  Island. 

Samuel  Fuller,  beacon,  Missionary. 

Feltch,  churches  at  Bedford 

and  North  Castle,  West  Chester  co. 

-  William  Harris,  Rector  of  St. 
Mark's  church.  New  York. 

Setli  Hart,  Rector  of  St.  George's 

church,  Hempstead,  and  Christ 
church.  North  Hempstead,  Long 
Island. 

Samuel  Haskill,  Rector  of  Christ 

church.  Rye,  West  Chester  county. 

Thomas  Y.  How,  an  Assistant  Mi- 
nister of  Trinity  chui'ch,  New  York. 

Hubbard,  Duanesborough. 

— —  Samuel  F.  Jarvis,  St.  Micliael's 
church,  Bloomingdale,  New  York. 

Cave  Jones,  an  assistant  minister 

of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 

Jonathan  .Tudd,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Johnstown,  and  St.  Ann's 
church.  Fort  Hunter,  Montgomery 
county. 

Thomas  Lyell,  Rector  of  Christ 

church.  New  York. 

Richard  C.  Moore,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

St.  Stephen's  church.  New  York. 

David  Moore,  Deacon,  St.  Andrew's 

church,  Staten  Island. 

Daniel  Nash,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Otsego,  St.  Luke's,  Rich- 
field, Harmony  church,  Butternutts, 
andotlier  churches  in  Otsego  co. 

Samuel  Nesbit,  residing  in    New 

York. 

Joseph  Perry,  Christ  church.  Ball- 
town. 

Davenport  Phelps,  IMission.ary  in 

the  western  part  of  the  state. 


285 


Tlie  Rev.  Joseph  Prentice,  Rector  of 
Trinity  churcli,  Athens,  Greene  co. 
1  ■  WiUiam  Powell,  Deacon,  St.  An- 
drew's church,  Coldenhum,  Orange 
county. 

■  Jolin    Reed,    Rector    of    Christ 

church,  Poughkeepsie,  Dutchess 
county. 

Gilbert  H.  Sayres,  Deacon,  Grace 

cliurch,  Jamaica,  Long  Island. 

Cyrus     Stcbbins,    Rector    of  St. 

George's  church,  Schenectady. 

■  George  Su-ebeck,  residing  in  New 
York. 

-  John    Urquhart,    Peekskill    and 
Phihp's  Town,  Dutchess  county. 

— —  E'rederick  Van  Home,  residmg  at 

Coldeuliam. 
Isaac  Wilkins,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,   West    Chester,    and    St. 

Paul's  chui'ch.  East  Chester. 
Ralph    M^illiston,   Deacon,   Zion 

church,  New  York. 
— —   William   E.    A\'yatt,   Deacon,  St. 

James's    church,  Newtown,  Long 

Island. 

JVew  Jersey. 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D- 
Rector  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Bur- 
lington. 
-  John  Croes,  Rector  of  Christ 
church.  New  Brunswick,  and  St 
Peter's  church,  Spotswood. 

Joseph  Willard,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Newark. 

John    C.   Rudd,    Rector   of   St. 

John's  church,  Ehzabethtown. 

Simon  Wilmer,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Swedesborough. 

James  Chapman,  St.  Peter's  church, 

Perth  Amboy. 

Daniel  Higbee,  St.  Andrew's  church, 

•  Mount  Holly,  &  St  Mary's  cliurch, 
Colestown. 

John  Croes,  jun.  Deacon,  officiating 

in  St.  Peter's  church,  Freehold, 
Christ  church,  Shrewsbuiy,  and 
Christ  church,  Middletown. 

Pennsylvania. 

The  Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Magaw,  D.  D. 

— —  John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Provost  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  Assistant 

Minister  of  Christ  church,  St.  Pe- 
ter's and  St.  James's,  Philadelphia. 

■  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

St.  Paul's  church,  Philadelphia 

William  Ayres. 

Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  James's, 


Perkiomen,  and  St  Peter's  in  Ute 
Valley 
The  Rev,  Joseph  Clarkson,  Rector  of  St 
James's,  Lancaster,  St.  John's* 
church,  Pcquca,  ^iiid  Bangor 
church,  Carnarvon. 

Robert  Ayres. 

Francis  Reno,  Westmoi-eland  coun- 
 Joseph  Turner,  Rector  of  St.  Mar- 
tin's church,  Marcus  Hook. 
— —  Caleb  Hopkins,  Rector  of  Christ 
chui-ch,  Derry  townsliip,  and  Christ 
church,  Tuabut  township,  North- 
umberland county. 

Thomas  Davis,  Somerset  county. 

James  Wiltbank,  Rector  of  Trini- 
ty church,  Oxford,  and  All  Saints, 
Pequeston. 

— —  Absalom  Jones  (a  black  man,) 
Rector  of  tlie  African  church  of 
St.  Thomas,  Philadelphia. 

John  Taylor,  Rectfcr  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  in  Pittsburgh. 

Levi  Bull,  Rector  of  St.  Gabriel's 

church,  Berks  county,  and  St.  Ma- 
ry's, Chester  county. 

Joseph  Hulbert   Turner,    A.    M. 

Deacon. 

Jackson  Kemper,  Deacon,  As- 
sistant Minister  of  Christ  church, 
St.  Peter's  and  St  James's,  Phila- 
delphia. 

Dela-vare. 

03°  No  list  of  the  Clergy  was  received 

from  tliis  state. 

Maryland. 

The  Right  Rev.  Thomas  Johit  Claggett, 
D.  D.  Bishop. 

♦The  Rev.  Benjamin  Contee,  Rector  of 
William  and  Mary,  Charles  county. 

John  "Weems,  Rector  of  Port  To- 
bacco parish,  Charles  county. 

William  Swan,  residing  in  Port  To- 
bacco, Charles  comity. 

— '—  William  Duncan,  Rector  of  Dur- 
ham, Charles  county- 

Nicholas   W.    Lane,    residing    in 

Calvert  county. 

— —  Thomas  Scott,  Rectcfr  of  Queen 
Anne's,   Prince  George's  county. 

• Bethel  Judd,  A.  M.  principal  of 

St.  John's  college,  and  Rector  of 
St.  Anne's  parish,  Anne  Arundel 
county. 

. Ralph  Higinbothom,  vice  princi- 
pal, residing  in  Annapolis,  Anne 
Arundel  county. 

John  W.  Compton,  Rector  of  St 

James's  parish,  Anne  Arundel  co. 
William  Hind,  Rector  of  Marga- 
ret, Westmoreland?  Anne  Arundel 
county. 


286 


The  Rev.  Oliver  ?s  orris,  Rector  of  Queen 
Cra-oline,  Anne  Arundel  county. 

Walter  D.  Addison,  Ractor  of  St. 

John's,  Territory  of  Columbia. 

-  Andrew  T.  M'Coi'mick,  Rector  of 
Washingto  ,  Territory  of  Cohimbi.i. 

Thomas   Read,  Hector  of  Prince 

Georg-c's,  Montgomery  county. 

John  Chandler,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's, Montgomery  county. 

— —  George  Bower,  Rector  of  St.  John's, 
Montgomery  county. 

George  Bower,  Rectov  of  St.  John's, 

Washington  county. 

* Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  D.  D.  Associ- 
ate Rector  of  St.  Paul's  parish,  Bal- 
timore county. 

Frederic  Beasley,  Associate  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Paul's  parish,  Balti- 
more  county. 

George  Ralph,  A.  M.  residing  in 

St.  Paul's  parish,  Baltimore  county. 

Henry  Moscrop,    residing    in  St. 

Paul's  parish,  Baltimore  count}'. 

* George    Dashiell,    Rector  of  St. 

Peter's,  Baltimore  county. 

John    Coleman,    Rector    of    St. 

James's,  Baltimore  county. 

George  D.  Handy,   Rector    of  St. 

John's,  Harford  county. 

John  Allen,  Rector  of  St.  George's, 

Harford  county. 

* Henry  L.  Davis,  Rector  of  St.  Ste- 
phen's, Cecil  county. 

William  Duke,  residing  in  Elkton, 

Cecil  county. 

William    H.    Wilmer,    Rector  of 

Charlestown,  Kent  count)% 

Daniel   Stephen's,   Rector   of   St. 

Luke's,  Queen  Anne's  county. 

*- Joseph  Jackson,  St.  Peter's,  Tal- 
bot county, 

James   Kemp.    D.  D.     Rector    of 

Great  Choptank,  Dorchester  co. 

' — r-  William  M.Stone,  Rector  of  Step- 
ney, Somerset  county. 


The  Rev.  James  Laird,  Rector  of  So- 
merset. Somerset  countv. 

David  Ball.  Rector  of  All  Hallows, 

Worcester  county. 

Virginia. 
The  Right  Rev.  James  Madison,  D,D 

Bishop. 
(Xj'  No  list  of  the  Clergj-  was  received 
from  tliis  state. 

Sotith  Carolina. 
The  Rev.  Theodore  Dehon,  D.  D.  Rec- 
tor of  St  Michael's  church,  Cliarles- 
ton. 

James  D.  Simons,   Rector  of  St. 

Philip's. 

Christopher  Edward  Gadsden,  As- 
sistant Minister  of  St.  Philip's 
church,  Charleston. 

M'illiam  Percy,  Rector  of  the  3d 

.  Episcopal  church,  Charleston. 

Thomas  Mills,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St 

Andrew's  parish. 

Andrew  Fowler. 

ftnowden.  Rector  of  St.  Ste 

phen's  parish. 

John  T.  Tsheudy,  Rector  of  Clare- 

montparisl). 

Solomon  Hailing,  Rector  of  Prince 

Grt;orge  Winyah,  Georgetown. 

John  Barnwell  Campbell,  Rector  of 

St.  Helena's  church,  Beaufort. 

Hugh  Frazer,     Rector   of  Prince 

Frederick's  parish. 

Joseph  Warren,  Rector  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  on  Edisto  Island. 

Clergymen  in  the  state  not  having  cures. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Gates,  D.  D, 

Milward  Pogson. 

P.aul  T.  Gervais. 

Galen  Hicks. 

Georgia, 
The  Rev.  John  V.  Bartow,   Rector  of 
Christ  church,  Savannah. 


This  mark  *  denotes  members  of  the  standing  committee. 


On  Wednesday,  the  29th  day  of  May,  in  Trinity  Church,  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  "White,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, being  presiding  Bishop,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Pro- 
voost,  of  New  York,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Jarvis,  of 
Connecticut,  being  present,  and  assisting,  the  Rev.  John  Henry 
Hobart,  D.  D.  of  New  York,  and  the  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Gris- 
wold,  of  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  were  consecrated  Bishops  :  the 
former  for  the  diocese  of  New  York,  and  the  latter  for  the  east- 
ern diocese,  composed  of  the  states  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode 
Island,  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont. 


287 

The  following  are  the  certificates  of  consecration  : 
Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  William  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, presiding  Bishop;  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  Bishop  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New  York  ;  and 
Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church 
in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty 
God,  in  Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  Wednes- 
day, the  twenty-ninth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  eleven,  did  then  and  there  rightly 
and  canonically  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Jc^hn  Henry 
Hobart,  D.  D.  an  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity  Church  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  of  whose  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  sound- 
ness in  the  faith,  and  purity  of  manners  we  were  fully  ascertain- 
ed, into  the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  state  of  New  York,  to  which  he  hath  been  elected  by  the 
Convention  of  said  state  ;  to  assist  the  Bishops  of  the  church  in 
said  state  in  the  duties  of  the  Episcopal  office,  and  to  succeed  in 
case  of  survivorship. 

Given  in  the  citi/  of  New  Tori,  this  twenty -ninth  day  of  May, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  ei^ht  hundred  and  eleven. 

WILLIAM  WHT'I  E. 

SAMUEL  PROVOOST. 

ABRAHAM  JARVIS. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  William  W^hite,  D.  D, 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, presiding  Bishop  ;  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  Bishop  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New  York  ;  and 
Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty 
God,  in  Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  Wednes- 
day, the  twenty-ninth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  *and  eleven,  did  then  and  there  rightly 
and  canonically  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Alexander 
Viets  Griswold,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Rhode  Island, 
of  whose  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  soundness  in  the  faith,  and 
purity  of  manners  we  were  fully  ascertained,  into  the  office  ot  Bi- 
shop of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Eastern  Diocese, 
composed  of  the  states  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  to  which  he  hath  been  elected  by  the 
Convention  of  said  states. 

Given  in  the  city  of  New  Tork,  this  twenty-ninth  day  of  May, in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eleven. 

WILLIAM  WHITE. 

SAMUEL  PROVOOST. 

ABRAHAM  JARVIS. 


JOURNAL 

OF  THE  PROCEEmNGS 


OP    THE 


BISHOPS,  CLERGY  AND  LAITY. 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


IN    THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


IN   A 


GENERAL  CONVENTION, 


HELD    IN 


'i'hc  City  ot    Philadelphia,    from    May  17,,  to  May   24,    1814, 

incKisive. 


LIST  OF  THE  MEMBERS 

OF  THE 

HOUSE  OF  CLERICAL  AND  LAY  DEPUTIES, 

Who  attended  the  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
in  the  United  States,  held  in  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1814.     . 

CLERICAL    DEPUTIES. 

Massachusetts — Rev.  John  Sylvester  J.  Gardiner,  D.  D.  Rev. 
Asa  Eaton,  Rev.  James  Morss. 

Vermont — Rev.  John  P.  K.  Henshaw. 

Rhode  Island — Rev.  Salmon  Wheaton,  Rev.  Nathan  B.  Crocker. 

Connecticut — Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rev.  Philo  Shelton. 

Nexv  Tork—Yitv,  John  Kewley,  M.  D.  Rev.  Thomas  Y.How, 
D.D. 

Nexv  Jersey — Rev.  Charles  Wharton,  D.  D.  Rev.  John  Croes, 
D.  D.    Rev.  John  C.  Rudd. 

Pennsylvania — Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Rev.  James  Aber- 
crombie,  D.  D.  Rev.  James  Wiltbank,  Rev.  Levi  Bull. 

Delaware — Rev.  William  Pryce,  Rev.  Robert  Clay. 

31aryland — Rev.  James  Kemp,  D.  D.  Rev.  George  Dashiell, 
Rev.  William  M.  Stone,  Rev.  Daniel  Stephens. 

Virginia — Rev.  William  A.  Wilmer,  Rev.  Oliver  Norris,  Rev. 
Hugh  C.  Boggs. 

South  Carolina — Rev.  John  J.  Tsheudy,  Rev.  Christopher  E. 
Gadsden. 

LAY    DEPUTIES. 

3Tassachusetts — John  Deane,  Esq. 

Rhode  Island — Benjamin  Gardner,  Esq.  Abel  Jones,  Esq. 

Connecticut — Charles  Segourney,  Esq. 

New  York — Hon.  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Dr.  John  Onder- 
donk. 

New  Jersey — Joshua  M.  Wallace,  Esq.  Hon.  William  Coxe, 
Joseph  Higby,  Esq.  Josiah  Harrison,  Esq. 

Pennsylvania — Gen.  Francis  Gurney,  Thomas  M'Euen,  Esq. 
John  M'Elroy,  Esq.  Jacob  Warren,  Esq. 

Delaware — Joseph  Burn,  Esq.  Joseph  Reynolds,  Esq. 

Maryland — Robert  Dunn,  Esq.  John  C.  Herbert,  Esq. 

Virginia — George  Deneale,  Esq.  Edward  M'Guire,  Colonel 
Hugh  Mercer. 

Ijist  of  the  Clergy  who  were  admitted  to  attend  the  sittings  of  the 
Convention  of  1814,  not  being  Members  of  the  same. 

Nexu  York — Rev-  Timothy  Clowes,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev. 
David  Moore. 

Nei.v  Jersey — ^Rev.  Simon  Wilmer. 

Pennsylvania — Rev.  Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D.  Rev.  Joseph 
Turner,  Rev.  Frederic  Beasley,  D.  D.  Rev.  Jehu  C.  Clay. 

Maryland — Rev.  Henry  Lyon  Davis,  Rev.  Purnell  F.  Smith, 
Rev.  Samuel  H.  Turner.  P  p 


JOURNAL. 


Philadelphia^  Tuesday^  May  17 th^  1814. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Gene- 
ral Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  several  Clerical  and  Liay  Deputies  attended  at 
12  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  St.  James's  Church,  and  adjourned  to  meet 
at  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Same  day,  S  o'clock,  P.  M,   , 

A  quorum  of  the  house  appearing,  the  Secretary  of  the  house 
in  the  last  Convention  acted  as  Secretary  pro  tempore. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  read  the  testimonials  of  the  Clerr- 
cal  and  Lay  Deputies,  which  were  severally  approved,  and  the 
following  gentlemen  took  their  seats  in  the  house  : 

From  Massachusetts,  Rev.  John  S.  J.  Gardiner,  D.  D.  Rev. 
James  Morss,  and  John  Deane,  Esq. 

From  Rhode  Island,  Rev.  Salmon  Wheaton,  Rev.  Nathan  B* 
Crocker,  Benjamin  Gardner,  and  Abel  Jones,  Esquires. 

From  Connecticut,  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rev.  Philo  Shelton, 
and  Charles  Segournev,  Esq. 

From  New  Tork,  Rev.  John  Kewley,  M.  D.  Rev.  Thomas  Y. 
How,  D.  D.  and  Hon.  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer. 

From  New  Jersey,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.  Rev. 
John  Croes,  D.  D.  Rev  John  C.  Rudd,  Joshua  M.  Wallace, 
Esq.  Hon.  William  Coxe,  and  Joseph  Higby,  Esq. 

From  Pennsylvania,  Rev.  James  Wiltbank,  Rev.  Levi  Bull, 
Rev.  James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D. 
Gen.  Francis  Gurney,  Thomas  M'Euen  and  John  M'Elroy, 
Esquires. 

From  Delaware,  Rev.  William  Pryce. 

From  Virginia,  Rev.  Hugh  C.  Boggs. 

From  Maryland,  Rev.  Daniel  Stephens,  Rev.  James  Kemp, 
D.  D.  Rev.  William  M.  Stone,  and  1-iobert  Dunn,  Esq. 

From  South  Carolina,  Rev.  John  J.  Tsheudy,  and  Rev.  Chris- 
topher E.  Gadsden. 

The  house  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  President  and  Secre- 
tary, when  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  John  Croes,  D.  D.  was  cho- 
sen President,  and  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

On  motion,  Resolved  unanimously.  That  James  Milnor,  Esq. 
be  invited  to  assist  the  Secretary  in  the  duties  of  his  office. 

The  following  rules  of  order  were  then  read  and  adopted : 

1.  The  business  of  every  day  shall  be  introduced  with  the  morn- 
ing service  of  the  church. 

2.  When  the  President  takes  the  chair,  no  member  shall  conti- 
nue standing,  or  shall  afterwards  stand  up,  unless  to  address  the 
chair. 


291 

3.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  the  service  of  the 
house,  unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  unable  to  attend. 

4.  When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  in  debute,  or  deliver 
any  matter  to  the  house,  he  shall,  with  due  respect,  address 
himself  to  the  President,  confining  himself  strictly  to  the  point  in 
debate. 

5.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  the  same  debate, 
without  leave  of  the  house. 

6.  A  question  being  once  determined,  shall  stand  as  the  judg- 
ment of  the  house,  and  shall  not  be  again  drawn  into  debate  dur- 
ing the  same  session,  unless  with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the 
house. 

7.  While  the  President  is  putting  any  question,  the  members 
shall  contifwe  in  their  seats,  and  shall  not  hold  any  private  dis- 
course. 

8.  Every  member  who  shall  be  in  the  house  when  any  question 
is  put,  shall,  on  a  division,  be  counted,  unless  he  be  personally 
interested  in  the  decision. 

9.  No  motion  shall  be  considered  as  before  the  house,  unless  it 
be  seconded,  and,  when  required,  reduced  to  writing. 

10.  When  any  question  is  before  the  house,  it  shall  be  deter- 
mined on  before  any  thing  new  is  introduced,  except  the  question 
of  adjournment. 

11.  The  question,  on  a  motion  for  adjournment,  shall  be  taken 
before  any  other,  and  without  debate. 

12.  "\Vhen  the  house  is  about  to  rise,  every  member  shall  keep 
his  seat  until  the  President  shall  leave  his  chair. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  How  presented  a  certificate,  signed  by  the  Clerk 
ot  the  vestry,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  at  Lexington, 
in  the  state  of  Kentucky,  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  John  D. 
Clifford,  to  represent  the  church  of  that  state  in  this  Convention, 
which  was  read. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
in  the  state  of  Kentucky,  not  being  organized,  and  not  having  in 
Convention,  acceded  to  the  constitution  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  Mr.  Clifford  cannot 
be  admitted  a  member  of  this  house,  but  that  he  be  allowed  the 
privilege  of  an  honorary  seat. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp  was  appointed  to  inform  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops, that  this  house  was  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to 
business. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp  reported  that  he  had  performed  that  ser- 
vice, and  that  he  was  requested  by  the  House  of  Bishjps,  to  inform 
this  house,  that  they  also  were  p'-epared  to  proceed  to  business. 

It  having  been  stated  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Henshaw,  although  a 
yesidejit  in  Vermont,  at  the  time  of  his  election  as  a  Clerical  De- 
legate from  that  state,  had  since  removed,  and  was  a  resident  in 
another  state,  it  was,  on  motion,  Resolved^  That  Mr.  Henshtiw 
be  admitted  to  a  seat  as  a  member  of  this  Convention : 


292 

And  Mr.  Henshaw  took  his  seat  accordingly. 

On  motion,  Resolvedy  That  the  Clergy  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  who  may  be  in  this  city  during  the  sitting  of  this 
Convention,  and  who  are  not  members,  be  admitted  to  attend  the 
same,  as  visitors. 

On  motion.  Ordered^  That  unless  otherwise  directed,  the  hour 
of  meeting,  be  in  future,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Adjourned. 

Wednesday^  May  18,  1814,  St.  James's  Church. 

The  house  met. 

The  following  gentlemen  appeared  and  took  their  seats  in  this 
house : 

From  Virginia^  Rev.  William  11,  Wilmer,  Rev.  Oliver  Norris, 
George  Deneale,  Esq.  Edward  C.  M'Guire,  and  Colonel  Hugh 
Mercer. 

From  Maryland^  Rev.  George  Dashiell,  John  C.  Herbert,  Esq. 

From  Delaxvare^  Joseph  Burn,  and  Joseph  Reynolds,  Esqrs. 

From  Massachusetts^  Rev-  Asa  Eaton. 

From  Pennsylvania^  Jacob  Warren,  Esq. 

From  New  Tork^  Dr.  John  Onderdonk. 

A  certified  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Convention  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  state  of  Virginia,  stating  the 
election  by  that  body  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Channing  Moore,  as 
Bishop  of  that  diocess,  was  presented  and  read. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  the  members  of  this  house  do  now 
proceed  to  sign  the  testimonials  required  by  the  canons,  in  favour 
of  the  Rev.  Richard  Channing  Moore,  D.  D.  in  order  to  his  conse- 
cration as  Bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Virginia ;  which  was  accord- 
ingly done,  and  the  certificate  in  proper  form  transmitted  to  the 
House  of  Bishops. 

The  house  then  rose  for  the  purpose  of  attending  divine  ser- 
vice, and  sermon  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart,  on  occasion 
of  the  meeting  of  this  Convention,  and  the  consecration  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Moore.  After  which  the  house  resumed  their  session  ; 
and  it  was, 

On  motion.  Resolved  unanimously^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Con- 
vention be  communicated  to  Bishop  Hobart,  for  his  appropriate 
and  excellent  sermon,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy 
of  the  same,  for  pttblication. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Wharton  was  appointed  to  communicate  the 
foregoing  resolution  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  their  concur- 
rence, and  if  concurred  in  by  them,  to  wait  upon  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Hobart  with  the  same. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Wharton  reported  that  he  had  performed  the  ser- 
vices assigned  him  ',  that  the  resolution  had  been  concurred  in  by 
the  House  of  Bishops,  and  communicated  to  Bishop  Hobart ;  who 
promised  to  comply  with  the  request  of  the  Convention. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That   a   committee,  consisting  of  one 


293 

member  from  each  state  represented  in  this  house,  be  appointed  to 
examine  the  Journals  of  the  different  State  Conventions,  Episco- 
pal charges,  addresses,  and  pastoral  letters,  which  have  been  or 
may  be,  laid  before  this  house  during  the  present  session,  to  mafce 
enquiry  into  the  state  of  the  church  iu  each  diocese,  and  into  the 
attention  paid  to  the  canons  and  rules  of  the  church ;  to  draw  up 
a  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  and  report  the  same  to  the 
house,  agreeably  to  the  45th  canon. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  to  compose  said  com- 
mittee : 

From  Massachusetts — Rev.  Dr.  Gardiner. 

Vermont — Rev.  Mr.  Henshaw. 

Rhode  Island — Rev.  Mr.  Wheaton. 

Connecticut — Rev.  Mr.  Shelton. 

New  Tork — Rev.  Dr.  How. 

Nero  Jersey — Rev.  Mr.  Rudd. 

Pennsijlvania — Rev.  Dr.  Abercrombie. 

Delaxvare — Rev.  Mr.  Pryce. 

Virginia — Rev.  Mr.  Wilmer. 

South  Carolina — Rev.  Mr.  Tsheudy. 
Divine  service  and  sermon  having  been  announced  as  intended 
to  take  place  in  this  church  to-morrow  morning,  at  10  o'clock,  the 
house  agreed  to  meet  at  that  time  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the 
same,  and  immediately  afterwards  to  proceed  to  the  transaction 
of  business.     Adjourned. 

Thursday^  May  19th^  1814. 

The  house  attended  divine  service  in  St.  James's  Church.  Di- 
vine service  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Simon  Wilmer,  and  a 
sermon  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  How. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

Josiah  Harrison,  Esq.  a  Lay  Delegate  from  New  Jersey,  ap- 
peared and  took  his  seat. 

On  motion,  Resolved  unanimously^  That  at  the  next  General 
Convention,  and  at  all  future  Conventions,  the  session  shall  be 
opened,  in  addition  to  the  prayers  and  sermon,  usual  on  such  oc- 
casions, with  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  in  which  re- 
solution the  House  of  Bishops  concurred. 

The  following  resolution  was  submitted  for  consideration  by 
Mr.  Herbert,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved^  That  the  following  clause  be  added  as  an  amendment 
to  the  9th  canon  : 

"  Provided  always,  That  the  Bishop,  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  two-thirds  of  the  standing  committee,  may  dispense  with 
the  knowledge  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages  in  candidates  for 
Deacon's  orders." 

The  following  documents  were  laid  before  the  house,  ia  com- 
pliance Wit  the  45th  canon  : 

From  Massachusetts,  a  certified  copy  from  the  records  of  the 
church  of  that  state,  up  to  the  year  1813,  inclusive. 


294 

From  Rhode  Island,  a  certified  abstract  of  the  returns  made  to 
the  Convention  ot  the  church  in  that  state. 

From  Connecticut,  a  printed  journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Convention  of  that  diocese,  for  the  years  1811,  1812  and  1813. 

From  New  York,  printed  journals  from  the  year  1785,  to  the 
year  1813,  inclusive. 

From  New  Jersey,  printed  journals  for  the  years  1811,  1812, 
and  1813,  and  a  report  containing  the  substance  of  the  three 
journals. 

From  Pennsylvania,  printed  journals  for  the  years  1811,  1812, 
and  1813. 

From  Maryland,  printed  journals  for  the  years  1811,  1812, 
and  1813. 

From  Virginia,  journals  up  to  the  year  1813,  inclusive. 

From  South  Carolina,  journals  up  to  the  year  1813,  inclusive. 

The  following  resolution  was  communicated  by  the  House  of 
Bishops,  as  adopted  by  them,  in  which  they  requested  the  con- 
currence of  this  house  : 

Resolved^  That  the  journals  of  the  General  Convention  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
from  the  commencement  of  the  said  Conventions,  together  with 
an  appendix,  containing  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church, 
be  published  under  the  superintendance  of  the  Bishop  of  this 
church  in  Pennsylvania;  provided  a  number  be  engaged  for,  suf- 
ficient for  the  encouragement  of  a  bookseller :  which  resolution 
was  read,  and  concurred  in  by  this  house. 

Mr.  Higby  asked  for,  and  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the 
remainder  of  the  session. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning  at  10  o'clock. 

Fridaxj^  May  20th,   1814. 

The  house  attended  divine  service  in  St.  James's  Church. 
The  President  performed  divine  service,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bi- 
shop Griswold  preached  a  sermon. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  a  Clerical  Delegate  from  the  state  of 
Delaware,  appeared  and  took  his  seat. 

Mr.  Wallace  asked,  and  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  Mr. 
Coxe,  during  the  remainder  of  the  session. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gadsden, 
and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  until  to-morrow. 

Resolved,  That  with  the  consent  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  a 
joint  committee  of  both  houses  be  appointed,  to  take  into  consi- 
deration, the  institution  of  a  theological  seminary,  and  if  they 
should  deem  the  same  expedient,  to  report  a  plan  for  the  raising 
of  funds,  and  generally  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  object. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  communi- 
cating a  declaration  of  that  house,  explanatory  of  the  19tU  canon 
so  far  as  concerns  the  place  of  officiating  and  the  dress  of  Lay 
Readers,  which  was  read  and  returned  to  said  house. 


295 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  communi- 
cating a  declaration,  propose-d  to  be  made  by  this  Convention,  of 
the  identity  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  with  the  body  heretofore  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Church  of  England  ;  and  of  the  present  entire  independence  of 
the  former,  of  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  authority  of  any  foreign 
country  :  which  declaration  was  concurred  in,  and  returned  to  the 
House  of  Bishops. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  commu- 
nicating a  canon,  which  had  been  adopted  by  that  house,  entitled, 
*'  A  canon  altering  and  explaining  the  29th  canon,  concerning  the 
election  and  institution  of  Ministers  ;"  in  which  they  requested  the 
concurrence  of  this  house  :  on  motion  it  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
table. 

Mr.  Bums  asked  for,  and  obtained  leave  of  absence,  during  the 
remainder  of  the  session. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  transmit- 
ting a  proposition  for  directing  the  Bishop,  or  other  ecclesiastical 
authority  in  each  state  or  diocese,  to  furnish  themselves  with  a 
copy  or  copies  of  the  book  of  homilies,  and  requiring  the  same  to 
be  studied  by  candidates  for  the  ministry  :  which  on  motion  was 
ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Adjourned,  until  10  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday^  May  21,  1814. 

The  house  attended  divine  service  in  St.  James's  church.    The 
Rev.  Mr.  Wheaton  performed  divine  service,  and  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Dehon,  preached  a  sermon. 
After  divine  service,  the  house  met. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Henshaw  asked  for,  and  obtained  leave  of  ab- 
sence, until  Tuesday  next. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilmer  proposed  the  following  resolution  : 
Resolved^  That  the  next  session  of  the  General  Convention  be 

hold  en  at . 

On  motion,  the  said  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table. 
The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  journals  of  the  differ^ 
ent  state  Conventions,  episcopal  charges,  addresses  and  pastoral 
letters,  and  to  draw  up  a  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  made  re- 
port as  follows  : 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  compliance  with 
the  requisitions  of  the  45th  canon,  have  taken  a  general  view  of  the 
sfate  of  the  church,  and  respectfully  offer  to  the  House  of  Bishops, 
the  result' of  their  inquiries.  From  these  observations,  and  the 
accompanying  documents,  it  is  hoped,  that  the  House  of  Bishops 
will  be  able  to  comply  with  the  requisition  of  the  above  mentioned 
canon,  in  regard  to  a  Pastoral  letter. 

Eastern  Diocese. 
NeHi)  Hampshire. 
The  church  in  this  state  appears  to  be  stationary ;  no  material 


296 

alteration  having  taken  place  for  several  years  past.  The  congre- 
gations, though  not  numerous,  are  attached  to  the  worship  of  the 
church,  and  perform  their  devotional  exercises  with  order  and  re- 
gularity. 

31assachus€tts. 

In  this  state,  the  general  appearance  of  the  church  is  highly  flat- 
tering. Two  new  church  edifices  have  been  erected  ;  new  congre- 
gations have  been  formed ;  and  some  of  the  former  ones  consi- 
derably enlarged.  A  growing  zeal  for  the  cause  of  religion,  and 
an  attachment  to  the  interests  of  the  church,  are  visible  in  many 
parts  of  the  state,  and  promise  increasing  prosperity.  Though 
some  instances  have  occurred,  in  which  the  rubricks  and  canons 
have  not  been  regarded,  it  is  believed  that  such  instances  are  less 
frequent  than  on  former  occasions,  and  that  an  attachment  to  the 
prescribed  order  and  worship  of  the  church,  is  daily  increasing. 

Rhode  Island. 

The  state  of  the  church  in  this  part  of  the  Eastern  Diocese,  is 
also  flourishing.  The  congregations  are  all,  except  one,  large  and 
prosperous.  Some  have  much  increased,  both  in  the  number  of 
families  and  the  number  of  communicants ;  order  and  regularity 
generally  prevail,  and  every  deviation  from  the  established  regu- 
lations of  the  church,  meets  with  decided  disapprobation. 

Vermont, 

The  great  question,  in  regard  to  the  church  lands  in  this  state, 
yet  remains  undecided.  Consequently,  the  difficulty  of  providing 
support  for  a  sufficient  number  of  pious  and  active  Clergymen, 
presents  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  the  growth  of  the  church  here. 
The  labours,  however,  of  those  two  or  three  Clergymen  who  have 
officiated  here,  have  in  general  been  crowned  with  success,  and 
several  congregations  formed  which  are  zealous  and  flourishing. 

Eastehn  Diocese, — Generally, 

From  the  returns  made  by  the  Bishop  of  the  Eastern  Diocese, 
composed  of  the  above  mentioned  states,  it  appears  that  there 
have  been  since  the  last  General  Convention,  the  following  ordi- 
nations, viz  :  the  Rev.  I'arker  Adams,  Rev.  Charles  Burroughs, 
Rev.  Nathanael  Huse,  (for  Connecticut.) — Priests.  Aaron  Hum- 
phrey, John  Prentice,  John  P.  K.  lienshaw,  Evan  Malbone  John- 
son, (for  Connecticut,)  and  Titus  Strong,  Deacons. 

The  number  of  confirmations,  in  three  years,  have  been  1504^.— 
The  Rev.  Joab  G.  Cooper  has  been  instituted  rector  of  the  church 
in  Hanover,  and  the  Rev.  Charles  Burroughs,  rector  of  the  church 
in  Portsmouth,  (N.  H.) — Six  persons  have  been  admitted  as  can- 
didates, for  holy  orders. 

Connecticut. 

The  church  in  this  state  app'tars  to  be  increasing  in  num- 
bers, and  in  vital  religion.  Though  frowned  upon  in  the  re- 
moval of  her  venerable  Bishop,  by  death,  yet  the  diocese  conti- 


297 

nues  regular  in  holding  Conventions,  and  in  a  due  attention  to 
the  canons  ot  the  church.  The  Clergy  are  zealous  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duties.  The  vacancy  of  the  episcopate,  it  is  believed,  will 
be  filled,  as  soon  as  provision  is  made  for  its  support.  This  de- 
sirable object  is  in  a  train  favourable  to  its  accomplishment,  in  the 
establishment  of  a  permanent  fund.  Several  new  church  edifices 
have  been  erected,  since  the  last  General  Convention;  there  is 
also  an  increased  solicitude,  on  the  part  of  tlie  Laity,  to  provide 
means  for  the  support  of  the  Clergy,  and  to  have  the  places  for 
public  worship  kept  in  decent  repair. 

The  number  of  confirmatiohis  in  the  last  two  years  of  the  Bi- 
shop's life,  was  464. 

During  the  year  1811,  (since  which  there  appear  no  returns  of 
ordination)  the  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Jarvis  was  ordained  Priest,  and 
Frederick  Holcombe,  Stephen  Jewett,  and  Orin  Clark,  Deacons. 

New  Tork. 
The  congregations  in  this    diocese,  are   very  numerous    and 
respectable,  and  supplied  with  the  constant,  or  occasional  services 
of  stated  Clergymen,  or  missionaries. 

The  parochial  reports  are  regularly  exhibited.  In  1812,  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Ilobart,  visited  thirty-seven  congregations,  id 
various  parts  of  the  state,  and  administered  the  rite  of  confirma- 
tion in  twenty-one  congregations,  to  500  persons. 

In  the  year  1813,  thirty-two  congi'egations  were  visited,  and  the 
rite  of  confirmation  administered  in  sixteen  congregations  to  1100. 
Since  the  last  General  Convention,  in  May  1811,  and  until  the 
State  Convention  in  October  1813,  six  persons,— John  Brady, 
John  M'Vickar,  David  Huntington,  Benjamin  T.  Onderdonk, 
Lewis  P.  Bayard,  (of  New  Jersey,)  and  James  Thomson,  have 
been  admitted  to  the  holy  order  of  Deacons ; — and  thirteen  Dea- 
cons, David  Moore,  Adam  Empie,  Ralph  Williston,  Wm.  Berrian, 
Gilbert  H.  Sayres,  Wm.  A.  Clark,  John  M'Vickar,  Orin  Clark, 
John  Brady, Timothy  Clowes,  John  Croes,  jun.  (ofN.  J.)  William 
Powel,  Isaac  Jones,  (of  Connecticut,)  AVm.  E.  Wyatt,  and  Stephen 
Jewett,  have  been  admitted  to  the  holy  order  of  Priests — Several 
persons  have  been  admitted  as  candidates,  for  Deacons'  orders. 

During  the  period  above  mentioned,  the  following  institutions 
have  taken  place  :  The  Rev.  Wm.  Berrian,  an  assistant  minister  of 
Trinity  Church,  of  New  Y^ork  ;  the  Rev.  Joseph  Perry,  Rector  of 
St.  Paul's  Church,  Ballstcfn  Spa,  and  St.  James's  Church,  Mil- 
ton ;  the  Rev.  John  Kewley,  INL  D.  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church, 
New  York;  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  assistant  minister  of  the  same; 
the  Rev.  Ralph  Williston,  Rector  of  Zion  Church,  New  York, 
and  Timothy  Clowes,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Albany. — 
During  the  same  period,  the  Rev.  Jonulhan  Judd,  and  the  Rev. 
Reuben  Hubbard,  removed  to  the  diocese  of  Connecticut ;  the 
Rev.  Adam  Empie,  to  North  Carolina,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abraham 
Reach,  to  New  Jersey. 

The  following  churches  have  been  consecrated :   St.  James's 


298 

Church,  Hyde  Park,  Dutchess  county ;  St.  James*s  Church,  Mil> 
ton,  Saratoga  county  ;  St.  Peter's  church,  Auburn,  Cayuga  coun- 
ty ;  St.  Luke's  Church,  Richfield,  Otsego  county ;  St.  James's 
Church,  Goshen ;  Grace  Church,  Waterford  j  and  Christ  Church, 
Hampton. 

The  following  missionaries,  have  also  been  employed  in  the  part 
of  the  state,  west  of  Albany,  viz.  the  Rev.  Samuel  Fuller,  the  Rev. 
Wm.  A.  Clark,  the  Rev.  Orin  Clark,  and  the  Rev.  Davenport 
Phelps,  lately  deceased,  who  is  justly  regarded  as  the  founder  of 
the  congregations  in  the  most  western  counties  of  the  state,  whom 
he  attached,  not  merely,  to  his  personal  ministrations,  but  to  the 
doctrines,  the  order,  and  the  liturgy  of  our  church. 

On  the  whole,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  tlaat  in  this  dio- 
cese, the  canons  of  the  church  are  faithfully  observed,  and  the 
clergy  regular  and  zealous,  in  their  ministrations.  And  ia  con- 
sequence, under  the  divine  blessing,  the  congregations  increase, 
not  only  in  numbers,  but  in  attachment  to  the  principles  of  the 
church,  and  in  the  spirit  of  Evangelical  piety,  as  exhibited  in  her 
articles  and  Liturgy. 

New  jfersei/. 

From  the  journals  and  reports  of  the  Convention  in  this  state, 
it  appears  that  the  number  of  congregations,  duly  organized, 
is  twenty-seven.  Of  this  number,  only  seven  enjoy  the  constant 
services  of  the  ministry ;  four  or  five  others  have  their  churches 
regularly,  though  but  a  part  of  the  time  opened  on  Sundays, 
by  Clergymen.  To  provide  for  the  remaining  congregations, 
which  are  unable  to  maintain  clergymen  for  themselves,  with  the 
administration  of  the  word  and  ordinances,  a  fund  has  been  raised 
by  the  Convention,  which  is  always  in  a  state  of  gradual  augmen- 
tation. There  are  in  the  diocese  six  instituted  Rectors ;  the  whole 
number  of  officiating  ministers,  is  nine. 

An  episcopal  society  has  been  recently  established,  in  the  dio- 
cese, principally  in  the  northern  part,  for  the  purpose  of  gratuitous- 
ly distributing  bibles,  prayer  books,  and  religious  tracts,  and  if  the 
funds  admit  of  it,  of  giving  aid  to  young  men,  designed  for  the 
ministry. 

The  congregations  belonging  to  this  Convention,  appear  to  be, 
in  general,  strongly  attached  to  the  services  and  usages  of  the 
church,  and  in  the  management  of  their  affairs,  to  be  actuated  by 
a  strict  and  sincere  regard  to  the  rubricks  and  canons.  Since  the 
last  General  Convention,  there  has  been  an  increased  attention  to 
the  concerns  of  religion,  and  the  church,  which  has  manifested  it- 
self, particularly  in  repairing  and  improving  the  places  of  public 
worship  ;  and  it  is  believed,  that  the  number  of  pious  churchmen, 
has  been  considerably  enlarged. 

Pennsylvania. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  there  is  an  increased 
attention  to  the  concerns  of  the  church  in  this  state.  The 
Conventions  have  of  late  been  well  attended,  and  the  Clergy  have 


299 

in  a  great  measure  been  punctual,  in  presenting  their  parochial 
reports.  From  these  reports  it  appears,  that  the  number  of  com- 
municants, in  the  several  congregations  throughout  the  state,  have 
considerably  augmented,  particularly  in  those  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. It  is  highly  gratifying  to  find,  that  since  the  last  General 
Convention,  exertions  have  been  made  for  the  establishment  of  an 
episcopal  fund.  A  society  has  been  formed,  for  the  advancement 
of  Christianity,  which  at  present  promises  extensive  usefulness  to 
the  church  in  this  state.  "  Most  of  the  vacant  churches,"  says 
the  Bishop,  in  one  of  his  addresses,  "have  been  visited  under  the 
directions  of  this  society,  and  from  the  satisfaction  given,  we  may 
hope,  that  under  the  divine  blessing,  there  will  be  an  increasing 
Usefulness  of  the  institution."  The  venerable  head  of  this  diocese, 
has  been  enabled  to  visit,  during  the  two  last  years,  some  of  the 
country  congregations  ;  the  happy  effects  of  these  visits,  are  for- 
cibly illustrated  by  the  fact,  that  in  1811,  he  reported  to  the  Con- 
vention, that  during  the  past  year,  61  persons  had  been  confirmed  j 
in  1812,  he  Reported  that  306,  had  received  this  holy  rite;  in 
1813,  he  announced,  that  during  the  last  year,  the  number  amount- 
ed to  581.  These  circumstances  are  auspicious;  it  is  hoped  they 
will  be  followed  by  a  rapid  increase  of  vital  godliness,  among  all 
the  members  of  our  apostolic  church,  in  this  quarter, — and  in 
general  the  rubricks  are  duly  observed.  Since  the  last  General 
Convention,  until  the  present  time,  five  persons,  Samuel  Ilulbert 
Turner,  Jackson  Kemper,  Charles  Blair  Snowden,  (of  South 
Carolina,)  Richard  D.  Hall,  and  Jehu  Curtis  Clay,  have  been 
admitted  to  the  holy  order  of  Deacons :  and  seven  Deacons, 
Daniel  Higbee,  (of  New  Jersey,)  John  Barnwell  Campbell,  (of 
South  Carolina,)  Charles  Blair  Snowden,  (of  South  Carolina,) 
William  King,  (of  Virginia,)  Samuel  Hulbert  Turner,  (of  Mary- 
land,) Jackson  Kemper,  and  Richard  D.  Hall,  have  been  admit- 
ted to  the  holy  order  of  Priests. 

Delaxvare. 

The  condition  of  the  church  in  this  state  is  truly  distressing,  and 
the  prospect  gloomy.  Of  the  eleven  congregations  in  Delaware, 
two  are  supplied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clay,  and  one  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Davis,  from  Maryland.  It  is  however  gratifying  to  learn,  that 
there  is  an  increasing  anxiety  manifested  for  obtaining  clergymen. 
Some  of  the  vscant  congregations,  have  the  service  performed  on 
Sundays,  by  laymen.  Where  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
has  been  administered,  by  visiting  clergymen,  the  communicants 
have  been  numerous.  Could  the  church  in  this  state,  be  supplied 
with  zealous  and  pious  ministers,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  their  labours  would  be  crowned  with  success,  in  advancing 
the  interests  of  the  church  and  vital  godliness. 

Maryland' 

The  church  in  Maryland,  still  continues  in  a  state  of  depres- 
sion ;  many  parishes  are  without  ministers,  and  a  considerable 
number  of  the  churches  are  in  a  decked  condition  ;  the  clergy 


300 

are  so  ill  provided  for,  that  except  iti  Baltimore  and  George- 
town, their  livings  are  quite  insufficient  for  the  support  of  their 
families,  and  of  course  they  are  obliged  to  resort  to  some  other 
means.  In  these  cities  the  clergy  are  well  supported,  and  the 
churches  kept  in  good  repair,  and  there  appear  to  be  evident  symp- 
toms of  the  increase  of  piety.  In  some  parts  of  the  state,  by  the 
exertions  of  pious  and  zealous  ministers,  there  seems  to  be  a  re- 
vival of  religion, — churches  have  been  repaired,  and  some  built ; 
the  prevailing  vices  have  been  checked,  and  greater  attention  to 
divine  worship  has  appeared  ;  besides  there  is  an  increasing  dis- 
position to  relish  the  fine  service  of  our  church,  and  to  comply 
with  her  ordinances,  so  that  if  it  should  please  God,  to  raise  up 
pious,  enlightened,  and  zealous  ministers,  who  would  continue  to 
labour  in  this  part  of  our  divine  mastei-'s  vineyard,  the  church  in 
Maryland  might  still  be  raised,  and  prove  a  nurserj'  for  good 
principles,  enlightened  devotion  and  pure  piety.  As  the  charges 
and  returns  of  the  Bishop  are  but  partially  inserted  on  the  jour- 
nals of  the  Convention,  and  as  no  account  of  his  proceedings  dur- 
ing the  last  year  has  been  received,  it  is  impossible  to  state  the 
number  of  churches  consecrated,  or  Clergymen  ordained,  since 
the  last  General  Convention. 

Virginia. 

From  a  variety  of  causes,  not  necessary,  and  perhaps  not 
proper  to  detail  here,  the  church  in  this  state  has  fallen  into 
a  deplorable  condition  j  in  many  places  her  ministers  have 
thrown  off  their  sacred  profession  ;  her  liturgy  is  either  contemn- 
ed or  unknown,  and  her  sanctuaries  are  desolate.  It  would  rend 
any  feeling  heart,  to  see  spacious  temples,  venerable  even  in  their 
delapidation  and  ruins,  now  the  habitations  of  the  wild  beast  of 
the  forest. 

But  amidst  this  gloomy  scene,  a  ray  of  light  breaks  in  upon  the 
prospect,  cheering  the  hearts  of  the  friends  of  the  church.  Her 
members  in  Virginia  have  been  taught,  by  a  dreadful  experience, 
the  value  of  their  peculiar  institutions.  They  look  back  with  re- 
gret, and  sigh  when  they  talk  of  former  days,  when  they  were 
wont  to  go  with  joy  into  the  courts  of  Zion;  they  are  ready  and 
desirous  to  return  to  that  fold  from  which  they  have  wandered  so 
long,  as  sheep  having  no  shepherd, — They  anxiously  seek  the 
restoration  of  their  primitive  and  apostolical  form  of  worship,  and 
sound  doctrine,  and  pray  that  ministers,  of  zeal  and  piety^  may 
come  and  help  them.  Perhaps  no  place  in  the  United  States 
presents  a  more  extensive  field  for  the  faithful  labourer, — Here 
•are  the  best  of  materials,  and  here  are  the  noblest  inducements  of 
duty,  of  honour,  and  reward. 

The  dispositions  of  the  people,  and  especially  of  some  eminent 
liaymen,  who  have  come  forward,  with  interest  and  zeal,  afford 
pleasing  pledges  of  those  good  fruits,  which  their  active  exertions 
Avill  not  fail  to  produce.  A  magnificent  church  has  sprung  up  in 
Richmond,  from  the  ashes  of  the  theatre ;  it  has  the  patronage 


301 

and  support  of  men  of  the  greatest  talents,  and  highest  rank  in 
Virginia. — They  have  chosen  as  their  Pastor,  the  Rev.  R.  C. 
Moore,  D.  D.  who  is  now  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  and  under 
whose  auspices  there  is  reason  to  hope  for  the  most  favourable 
results. 

The  corner-stone  of  a  large  and  respectable  church,  has  been 
laid  in  Fredericksburg,  on  the  scite  of  the  old  building  which  has 
gone  to  decay.     For  Leesburgh  also   they   have  obtained  a  sub- 
scription adequate  to  the  expense  of  erecting  a  respectable  church; 
and,  in  the  counties  of  Frederick,  and  Spottsylvania,    and  per- 
haps, in  other  places,  from  which  reports  have  not  been  received, 
the  state  of  the  church  is  improving.     In  Alexandria,  there  are 
two  large  and  respectable  congregations.  From  the  present  excite- 
ment which  is  manifest  thi*)ughoat  the  state,  nothing  more  seems 
wanting,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  than   faithful  ministers,  to 
realise  the  hopes  which  are  entertained  of  the  future  prosperity  of 
this  important  part  of  our  Zion.     Let  ill  who  wish  her  well,  pray 
the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send  forth  labourers  into  his  harvest. 
South  Carolina. 
There  is  cause   of  rejoicing  to  the  friends  of  the  church  in  this 
diocese.     There   is  an  evident  revival  of  religion,  and  a  visible 
growth  in  piety.     From  various  causes,  not  necessary,  and  per- 
haps not  expedient  to  state,  the  church  in  this  state  had  sunk  very 
low  ;  but  through  the  blessing  of  the  Almighty,  on  the  zealous  ex- 
ertions of  the  visible  head  of  it,  much  has  been  done  for  its  good, 
and  more  is  to  be  confidently  expected. 

The  various  parishes  are  making  exertions  to  provide  for  their 
ministers,  and  to  re-establish  divine  service  in  the  vacant  church- 
es. A  resolution  has  also  been  entered  into  by  the  Clergy,  tr> 
supply  the  services  and  ordinances  of  the  church,  as  often  as  pos- 
sible, to  the  vacant  parishes.  It  appears  from  the  15ishop's  ad- 
dress, in  1812,  that  two  new  Episcopal  congregations  were  col- 
lected and  organized  ;  one  at  Columbia,  the  seat  of  government, 
and  one  at  Camden  ;  and  that  for  the  former,  a  Lay  Reader  was 
provided  by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Society,  for  the  advance- 
ment of  Christianity  in  South  Carolina, — It  appears  also  from  the 
same  address,  that  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  of  Charleston,  had 
been  received  as  a  candidate  for  holy  orders,  and  the  Rev.  Chris- 
tian Hanckel,  formerly  of  Burlington,  Xew  Jersey,  had  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  order  of  Deacons. 

In  the  year  1813,  fourteen  episcopal  visitations  were  made,  and 
516  persons  confirmed.  Two  candidates  for  holy  orders,  viz: — 
Maurice  Harvey  Lance,  and  Albert  MuUer,  were  received,  and 
Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  was  admitted  to  the  order  of  Deacons. 
The  parish  of  St.  George  AVinyaw,  was  deprived,  by  death,  of  its 
Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hailing. 

The  state  of  the  church  in  this  diocese  will  appear,  from  the 
following  extract  from  the  last  address  of  the  Bishop,  "  In  the 
view  (says  he)  which  I  am  required,  by  a  useful  canon  of  the 


502 

church,  to  give  you  of  the  affairs  of  the  diocese,  since  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Convention,  it  will  fall  within  the  scope  of  the  re- 
gulation, to  congratulate  you  on  the  degree  of  concord  and  chris- 
tian fellowship  with  which  our  churches  are  blessed.  It  is  hardly 
possible,  that  in  any  society,  composed  of  many  parts,  and  all 
the  parts  of  frail  and  fallible  beings,  there  should  exist  such  an 
entire  unity  of  opinion,  and  community  of  feelings,  as  to  produce 
always  a  perfectly  harmonious  co-operation,  towards  an  accom- 
plishment of  the  same  ends.  As  near  an  approach  to  this  happy 
state  as  is  compatible  with  the  condition  and  infirmities  of  man, 
is,  through  the  good  blessing  of  God,  at  present  enjoyed  by  us  in 
this  diocese.  In  a  degree,  which  is  gratifying  to  me  to  remark, 
as  it  has  doubtless  been  pleasing  to  you  to  notice,  the  clergy  of 
the  diocege  are  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another,  with  brotherly 
love ;  and  their  respective  parishes  being  knit  together,  and  com- 
pacted by  that  which  every  joint  supplieth,  are,  it  is  humbly 
hoped,  making  some  increase  of  the  body,  to  the  edifying  of  it- 
self in  love.  Thus  far  there  is  unity,  and  all  will  ever  be  con- 
cerned for  the  interests  and  feelings  of  all,  if  vve  be  actuated  by^ 
the  genuine  spirit  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ." 

It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that  In  South  Carolina,  a  society  has 
been  instituted  for  the  advancement  of  Christianity,  which  has 
met  with  great  success,  and  been  instrumental  in  establishing  two 
churches  in  a  section  of  the  country  where  our  worship  was  never 
before  held.  This  society,  by  distributing  books,  illustrative  of 
the  distinctive  principles  of  our  church,  and  by  assisting  a  young 
man  of  genius  and  piety,  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  has  done 
much  to  advance  the  interests  of  our  religion,  and  of  our  excel- 
lent church. 

It  is  also  to  be  stated,  that  the  rubricks  and  canons  are  here  con- 
scientiously and  strictly  observed. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  laying  the  preced- 
ing statement  before  the  venerable  House  of  Bishops,  pray,  for 
themselves  and  the  church,  their  counsel,  and  the  blessing  of  Al- 
mighty God. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

JOHN  CROES,  Prasident. 

3£ay  21//,  ISl*. 

The  said  report  having  been  read  and  considered,  was  adopted, 
directed  to  be  signed  by  the  President,  and  sent  to  the  House  of 
Bishops,  which  were  accordingly  done. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  communi- 
cating a  canon  adopted  by  them,  entitled  "  a  canoa  concerning  the 
alms  and  contributions  at  the  holy  communion,*'  in  which  they 
requested  the  concurrence  of  this  house.  The  said  canon  was 
considered,  concurred  in  by  the  house,  and  returned  to  the  House 
of  Biehops. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  on 


305 

t'hc  subject  of  devising  means  for  supplying  the  congregations  of 
this  church,  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  ;  and  respecting  a 
correspondence  with  the  venerable  society  in  England  for  propa- 
gating the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  on  the  subject  of  certain  lands, 
to  which  the  church  has  a  claim,  in  the  state  of  Vermont  ;  which 
communication  was  read,  and  returned  to  the  House  of  Bishops, 
agreeably  td  their  request,  to  be  entered  upon  their  journals. 

The  canon  sent  yesterday  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  altering 
and  explaining  the  29th  canon,  concerning  the  election  and  insti- 
tution of  ministers,  was  taken  up  for  consideration,  concurred  in, 
and  sent  back  to  that  house. 

'  The  proposition  sent  yesterday  from  the  House  of  Bishops, 
respecting  the  book  of  homilies,  was  taken  up  for  consideration, 
concurred  in,  and  returned  to  that  house. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops  for 
their  concurrence,  respecting  the  preparation  and  transmission  of 
reports  from  the  State  Conventions  to  the  General  Convention. 

A  message  was  received  from  theHouse  of  Bishops,  communi- 
cating a  proposition  submitted  to  them,  for  the  publication  of  cer- 
tain anthems,  with  their  determination  thereon ;  and  also  a  gene- 
ral resolution  adopted  by  them,  with  respect  to  the  recommenda- 
tion of  proposed  publications,  which,  after  being  read,  were  re- 
turned to  the  House  of  Bishops,  with  the  respectful  thanks  of  this 
house,  for  the  judicious  course  adopted  by  them,  in  reference  to 
these  subjects. 

A  resolution,  respecting  the  posture  of  minister  and  people, 
during  the  singing  of  the  metre  psalms  and  hymns,  was  received 
from  the  House  of  Bishops  ;  which,  after  having  been  read,  was 
postponed  until  Monday  next. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Stone,  Eaton,  and  Morss,  Mr.  Harrison,  and 
Dr.  Onderdonk,  asked,  and  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the 
remainder  of  the  session.     Adjourned. 

Monday,  May  23,  1814. 

The  house  attended  divine  service  in  St.  James's  church.  Di- 
vine service  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  A.  Baldwin,  Secretary  of 
this  house,  and  a  sermon  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Croes,  Presi- 
dent of  the  same. 

After  divine  service  the  house  met. 

The  recommendation  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  relative  to  the 
posture  of  ministers  and  people,  during  the  singing  of  the  metre 
psalms  and  hymns,  was  taken  up  for  consideration,  approved  of, 
and,  agreeably  to  request,  returned  to  that  house,  to  be  entered 
on  their  journal. 

Mr.  Gadsden's  resolution  respecting  a  theological  seminary, 
was  taken  up  for  consideration,  and  after  some  debate,  it  was 
moved  and  seconded,  to  postpone  the  further  consideration  of  the 
same.  The  votes  being  required,  to  be  taken  by  states,  the  ayes 
and  noe;s  on  the  question  of  jiostponement  were  as  follow: 


304 

Massachusetts — Clergy,  No. — Laity  — — — '. 

Connecticut — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  No. 

Rhode  Ishind — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 
^Neiv  York — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

Neiv  Jersey — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

Pennsylvania — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

Delaxuare — Clergy,  No. — Laity . 

Marylajid — Clergy,  Aye- — Laity,  Divided. 

Virg-inia — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

South  Carolina — Clergy,  No, — Laity . 

And  so  the  motion  for  postponement  was  negatived. 

The  question  on  the  resolution  recurring,  the  vote  thereon  wa» 
required  to  be  taken  by  states,  and  the  ayes  and  noes  were  as  fol- 
low. 

3Iassachusetts — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  — — . 

Connecticut — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

Rhode  Island — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye- 

Nexu  York — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

New  Jersey — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  Aye. 

P^ennsylvania — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

Delaware — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  . 

Maryland — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  Divided. 

Virginia — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

South  Carolina — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  — — . 

And  so  the  resolution  was  negatived. 

The  House  of  Bishops  communicated  a  written  opinion,  expla- 
natory of  the  9th  and  40th  canons,  which  was  considered,  approved 
of,  and  returned  to  that  house. 

Tlie  following  resolution  was  proposed  and  adopted. 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  of  two  persons  be  appointed  to  con- 
fer with  the  House  of  Bishops,  on  the  expediency  of  securing  to 
the  General  Convention,  the  right  of  the  book  of  common  prayer, 
and  to  report  to  the  house. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilmer,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  How,  were  appointed 
■x  committee  on  the  part  of  this  house,  for  the  purpose  expressed 
in  the  foregoing  resolution. 

Mr.  Warren  asked,  and  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed,  and  adopted. 

"Whereas,  the  mode  heretofore  adopted, for  making  known  the 
constitution  and  canons  of  the  church,  has  fallen  short  of  that  de- 
sirable end,  and  in  order  that  the  interest  of  the  church  may  be 
advanced  by  a  more  general  knowledge  of  the  said  constitution 
and  canons,  and  also  that  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Conven- 
tion may  be  promulgated,  to  the  members  of  the  church  at  large; 
Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ecclesiastical  authorities 
in  the  several  dioceses,  to  cause  the  same  to  be  made  known  in  the 
congregations  respectively  within  their  bounds,  by  such  measures 
as  may  be  deemed  expedient,  and  accommodated  to  local  circum- 
stances. 


305 

The  said  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  their 
concurrence,  and  was  concurred  in  by  them. 

On  motion.  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
presented  to  the  Bishops,  who  have  preached  before  the  Conven- 
tion, during  the  present  session,  and  that  they  be  requested  to 
furnish  copies  of  their  sermons,  for  pubUcation. 

The  said  resolution  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  for  their 
concurrence,  and  the  said  house  concurred  in  the  same,  with  an 
amendment,  inserting  the  words  "  and  the  President  of  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,"  which  amendment  was  agreed  to 
by  this  house.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp  and  Mr.  Herbert,  were  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  this  house,  to  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  House  of  Bishops, 
upon  the  expediency  of  securing  to  the  General  Convention,  a  copy 
right  of  the  book  of  common  prayer,  reported  that  they  had  per- 
formed that  duty ;  that  the  House  of  Bishops  return  for  answer, 
that  they  will  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  committee 
of  this  house,  and  report  at  a  convenient  season. 

Mr.  Wilmer's  resolution,  as  to  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  next 
General  Convention  was  taken  up,  and  the  blank  left  therein  filled 
with  the  word  "  New  York." 

The  vote  having  been  required  to  be  taken  by  states,  the  ayes 
and  noes  thereon,  were  as  follow  : 

Vermont — Clergy,  No. — Laity, . 

Massachusetts — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  — — . 

Connecticut — Clergy,  Aye. — ^Laity,  Aye. 

Rhode  Island — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye. 

New  Tork — Clergy,  Aye. — Laity,  Aye.* 

Pennsylvania — Clerg}',  Aye. — Laity,  No. 

Delaware — Clergy,  No. — Laity, . 

Maryland — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  No. 

Virginia — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  — — . 

South  Carolina — Clergy,  No. — Laity,  ■. 

The  house  of  Bishops  informed  this  house,  that  they  had  ap- 
pointed the  Right  Rev.  Bishops  White  and  Hobart,  a  committee 
on  their  part,  on  the  subject  of  a  copy  right,  for  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bish- 
ops, together  with  a  pastoral  letter,  prepared  by  said  house. 

The  House  of  Bishops  having  examined  and  considered  the 
report  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  presented 
agreeably  to  the  provisions  of  the  45th  canon,  transmit  to  them 
agreeably  to  the  same  canon,  a  pastoral  letter,  founded  on  the  re- 
port. The  House  of  Bishops,  reciprocating  the  affectionate  sen- 
timents of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  accompanying 
their  report,  request  their  aid  in  all  proper  measures  of  the  epis- 
copacy, for  the  extending  of  the  influence  of  religion,  and  the  in- 

*  The  vote  of  New  .lersey  was  omitted  in  the  first  edition  of  this  journal.  Both 
Clcrqy  and  I^iitv  voted  in  the  affirmutivf. 

R  r 


306 

crease  of  the  church ;  imploring  the  divine  blessing  on  them  in- 
dividually, and  on  the  churches  which  they  respectively  represent. 

The  resolution  sent  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  on  the  subject  of 
the  preparation  and  transmission  of  reports  from  each  State  Con- 
vention, on  the  state  of  the  church,  was  returned  with  an  amend- 
ment, in  which  this  house  concurred.  The  resolution,  as  amend- 
ed and  finally  agreed  to,  is  as  follows  : 

Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended,  that  the  ecclesiastical  au- 
thority of  the  church,  in  every  state  or  diocese,  prepare  a  report 
on  the  state  of  the  church,  in  their  state  or  diocese,  previously  to  the 
meeting  of  every  General  Convention,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  church,  appointed  by  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  drafting  their  report. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  part  of  this  House,  to  return 
the  thanks  of  the  Convention  to  the  Bishops,  and  the  President  of 
this  House,  for  the  sermons  preached  by  them  respectively,  and  to 
request  copies  for  publication,  reported,  that  they  had  performed 
that  service,  and  that  the  Reverend  Gentlemen  would  comply  with 
the  request  of  the  Convention. 

Adjourned. 

Tuesday,  May  24,  1814. 

The  house  attended  divine  service,  in  St.  James's  church,  which 
was  performed  by  the  Rev.  W.  Wilmer. 

After  divine  service,  house  met. 

The  pastoral  letter  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  transmitted  to  this 
house  yesterday,  was  read,  ai.d  then  returned  to  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops. 

The  joint  committee  of  the  two  houses,  on  the  question  of  a  copy 
right,  for  the  book  of  common  prayer,  reported  as  follows  : — That 
they  are  informed  on  credible  authority,  that  the  same  object  was 
contemplated  In  the  year  1789,  on  the  editing  of  the  book,  as  it  is 
now  established  by  the  authority  of  this  church  ;  but  was  relin- 
quished, in  consequence  of  perceiving  that  complaints  were  likely 
to  arise  from  the  apprehension  that  the  price  would  be  thereby  en- 
hanced. The  objection  was,  that  an  appropriation  of  the  proceeds, 
to  a  purpose  both  religious  and  charitable,  would  not  reconcile  the 
members  of  this  church  to  a  tax ;  which,  it  was  alledged  was  thus 
imposed ;  the  book  being  of  a  character,  which  it  was  a  duty  to 
possess.  Whether  the  objection  may  not  be  guarded  against  by  a 
contract,  in  which  the  prices  of  books  should  be  fixed  agreeably  to 
their  different  sizes;  and  whether  in  this  case,  there  ought  to  be 
regarded  the  complaints  which  would  still  be  made  of  an  alledg- 
ed unreasonableness  of  price,  the  committee  submit  to  the  consi- 
deration of  the  Convention.  The  committee  are  not  sufficiently 
informed  of  the  operation  of  law,  on  the  present  subject,  so  as  to 
judge  of  the  practicability  of  the  n:ea">ure  proposed ;  nor  have  they 
had  either  time,  or  the  authority  of  the  Convention,  to  take  advice 
thereon, — but,  they  propose  tiiat  law  advice  should  be  taken,  be- 


307 

fore  further  progress.  Further,  it  has  not  occurred  to  the  com- 
mittee, how  the  copy  right  may  be  so  contrived,  as  to  be  made 
consistent  with  the  8th  article  of  the  ecclesiastical  constitution. 
That  some  alteration  must  be  made  in  the  present  book,  to  bring 
it  under  the  exclusive  claim  of  a  copy  right,  is  evident.  If  the 
alteration  should  affect  the  book,  as  described  by  its  known  name, 
the  difficulty  here  noticed  must  present  itself.  But  if  the  altera- 
tion should  be  made  in  any  of  the  instruments  of  this  church, 
which  are  usually  bound  up  with  the  book  of  common  prayer,  it 
would  seem  that  the  latter  might  be  still  published  without  legal 
interference.  On  the  ground  of  tlje  premises,  the  joint  committee 
propose  to  the  two  houses  as  follows  : 

Resohedy  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Bishops  to  consider  of  the 
propriety  of  granting  a  copy  right  in  the  book  of  common  prayer; 
to  inquire  in  their  respective  dioceses,  and  elsewhere,  as  circum- 
stances may  permit,  whether  the  said  measuj-e  can  be  adopted, 
consistently  with  law,  and  the  approbation  of  the  Conventions  in 
the  diftercnt  dioceses,  and  to  report  to  the  next  General  Conven- 
tion. 

The  foregoing  report  having  been  adopted  in  the  House  of 
Bishops,  on  motion,  this  house  concurred  in  the  adoption  of  the 
5;ime, 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed  and  adopted. 

Resolved^  That  this  Convention  contemplate  with  much  plea- 
sure the  rise  and  progress  of  institutions  for  the  advancement  of 
Christianity,  in  several  of  the  dioceses  in  the  United  States,  and 
that  they  recommend  such  institutions  to  the  patronage  of  all  the 
friends  of  our  church. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  commu- 
nicating a  resoluton  which  originated  in,  and  had  been  adopted  by 
that  house,  on  the  subject  of  a  theological  seminary;  in  which, 
this  house  concurred. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilmer,  and  Mr.  M*Guire  asked  for  and  obtain- 
ed leave  of  absence. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Bishops,  com» 
municating  a  canon  which  had  passed  that  house,  entitled  "  A 
canon  repealing  a  part  of  the  45th  canon  of  1808,"  which  was 
concurred  in  by  this  house. 

A  resolution  was  .received  from  the  house  of  Bishops,  for  the 
addition  of  a  second  appendix  to  the  volume  oi  journals  proposed 
to  be  reprinted ;  said  second  appendix,  to  contain  the  pastoral 
letters  ot  the  House  of  Bishops  for  the  two  last  and  the  present 
Conventions,  which  resolution  was  concurred  in  by  this  house. 

On  motion,  Re&olved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  present- 
ed to  the  President,  Secretary,  and  assistant  Secretary,  for  the 
services  rendered  by  them  respectively  during  the  present  session. 

On  motion,  Resohtd^  That  the  House  of  Bishops  be  requested, 
to  appoint  one  of  their  own  order  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  next  General  Convention. 


308 

The  foregoing  resolution  having  been  communicated  to  the 
House  of  Bishops,  a  message  was  returned  from  that  house,  in- 
forming of  their  concurrence  in  the  same,  and  stating  their  hope, 
that  it  may  be  consistent  with  the  state  of  health  of  their  brother 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claggett  to  be  present  and  to  preach  ;  and 
in  case  of  his  absence,  their  resolution  that  the  next  Bishop  in  se- 
niority, who  may  not  already  have  preached  at  the  opening  of  a 
Convention,  be  requested  to  perform  that  duty. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Abercrombie,  Mr.  M*Euen,  and  Mr.  Milnor,  the 
assistant  Secretary,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  superintend  the 
publication  of  the  journal  of  the  proceedings  of  this  house  at  the 
present  Convention. 

In  pursuance  of  a  request  from  this  house,  the  Right  Reverend 
members  of  the  House  of  Bishops  attended  in  the  same,  for  the 
purpose  of  closing  the  session  of  the  Convention  by  solemn  prayer, 
which  was  performed  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White,  presiding 
Bishop :   after  which 

Adjourned  si7ie  die, 

JOHN  CROES,  President, 

Attested,  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

City  of  Philadelphia^  Tuesday^  May  17,  1814. 

THIS  being  the  day  appointed  by  the  constitution  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  for 
the  meeting  of  the  General  Convention  of  said  church ;  and  agree- 
ably to  a  resolve  of  the  last  General  Convention  of  the  church,  in 
the  city  of  New  Haven,  the  city  of  Philadelphia  being  appointed 
the  place  of  meeting,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  "White,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart,  of  New  York,  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Griswold,  of  the  eastern  diocess,  and  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Dehon,  of  South  Carolina,  met  in  the  vestry  room  of  St. 
James's  church,  at  12  o'clock,  in  the  aforesaid  city.  It  appeared 
that  Bishop  Claggett,  who  was  to  have  opened  the  Convention 
with  a  sermon,  was  prevented  from  attending  by  indisposition. 

The  house,  having  chosen  the  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper  to  act  as 
Secretary,  adjourned  to  meet  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Five  d*cU)ck,  P.  31. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

This  house  received  a  communication  from  the  House  of  Cle- 
rical and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp,  informing  them 
that  they  were  organized,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business,  Dn 
Kemp  was  desired  to  inform  the  House  of  Clerical  and  La^'  Depu- 
ties, that  the  House  of  Bishops  were  also  ready. 

The  house  adjourned  to  9  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 


309 

JVednesdoif^  9  o'clock^  A.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present  as  yesterday. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties the  testimonials  required  by  the  canons,  from  the  Convention 
of  the  church  in  Virginia,  and  from  the  said  house,  in  favour  of 
the  Rev.  Richard  Channing  Moore,  D.  D.  as  Bishop  elect  for  the 
diocess  of  Virginia  j  whereupon  this  house  approved  the  said  tes- 
timonials, and  resolved  to  proceed  to  the  consecration. 

At  10  o'clock,  the  house  attended  divine  service.  Morning 
prayers  were  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  How,  and  a  sermon  on  the 
occasion  of  the  opening  of  the  Convention,  was  preached  by  Bi- 
shop Hobart :  after  which,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  was  consecrated 
Bishop :  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  as  presiding  Bishop,  per- 
forming the  office  of  consecration,  assisted  by  the  Bishops  present. 

Divine  service  being  ended,  the  house  returned  to  the  vestry 
room,  when  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  took  his  seat  in  the 
house. 

A  message  was  received,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  "yi/^harton,  from  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  informing,  that  a  resolution 
hiid  passed  that  house,  "  that  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be 
presented  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart,  for  his  sermon  preach- 
ed before  them  this  morning,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish 
a  copy  for  publication." 

This  house  concurred  in  the  said  resolution,  and  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Hobart  consented  to  comply  with  their  request. 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed  :  That  the  journals  of 
the  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  from  the  commencement  of  the  said 
Conventions,  together  with  an  appendix,  containing  the  constitution 
and  the  canons  of  the  church,  be  published  under  the  superinten- 
dence of  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  Pennsylvania;  provided  a 
number  be  engaged  for,  sufficient  for  the  encouragement  of  a 
bookseller.  If  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  should 
concur  in  this  resolve,  the  design  will  be  forwarded  by  a  knowledge 
of  the  number  of  copies  which  could  be  engaged  for  in  the  respec- 
tive states. 

The  above  resolution  was  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  sent  to 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  for  their  concurrence. 

On  motion,  the  house  agreed  to  attend  divine  service  every 
morning  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  adjourned  to  meet  at  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning, 

Thursday  Morning-,  Mcnj  19th,  1814. 

The  house  met,  after  having  attended  divine  service,  in  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

Present.  Bishop  White,  Bishop  Hobart,  Bishop  Griswold, 
Bishop  Dehon,  Bishop  Moore. 

The  House  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, by  Joshua  Wallace,  Esiq.  a  resolution  relative  to  the  ad- 


310 

ministering  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at  the  opening  of  the  General 
Convention ;  in  which  resolution,  the  House  of  Bishops  concurred. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay- 
Deputies,  by  their  Secretary,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  informing 
this  house  that  they  agreed  with  them  in  the  resolution  concerning 
the  publishing  of  the  journals  of  the  General  Conventions. 

Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  at  10,  A.  M. 

Fridatj  Mornings  May  20,  1814. 

The  following  declaration  was  proposed  and  agreed  to. 

It  having  come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  house,  that  some 
doubts  have  arisen  in  certain  districts,  in  reference  to  the  sense  of 
some  of  the  provisions  of  the  19th  canon;  they  hold  it  expedient 
to  make  the  following  declaration,  to  record  it  on  their  minutes, 
and  to  communicate  it  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

So  far  as  concerns  regulations,  in  reference  to  the  place  of  offi- 
ciating and  to  ministerial  dress,  the  Bishops  suppose,  that  the  pro- 
hibitions of  the  canon,  were  grounded  merely  on  the  propriety  of 
guarding  against  popular  mistakes;  which,  might  otherwise  rank 
among  the  number  of  the  Clergy  a  person  not  ordained.  Accord- 
ingly they  conceive,  that  the  design  of  the  canon  reaches  every 
circumstance  of  position  and  of  dress,  which  the  custom  of  the 
church,  and  the  habits  of  social  life,  may  render  liable  to  miscon- 
ception in  the  premises.  On  this  ground,  the  House  of  Bishops 
consider  it  as  contrary  to  the  design  of  the  canon,  for  candidates 
to  read  sermons  from  the  places  usually  considered  as  appropri- 
ated to  ordained  ministers,  or  to  appear  in  bands,  or  gowns,  or 
surplices. 

The  Secretary  communicated  the  above  declaration  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  following  declaration  was  proposed  and  agreed  to  : 

It  having  been  credibly  stated  to  the  House  of  Bishops,  that  on 
questions,  in  reference  to  property  devised,  before  the  revolution, 
to  congregations  belonging  to  "  the  Church  of  England,"  and  to 
uses  connected  with  that  name,  some  doubts  have  been  entertained 
in  regard  to  the  identity  of  the  body  to  which  the  two  names  have 
been  applied,  the  house  think  it  expedient  to  make  the  declaration, 
and  to  request  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  therein — That  "The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America"  is  the  same  body  heretofore  known  in 
these  states,  by  the  name  of  "  The  Church  of  England ;"  the 
change  of  name,  although  not  of  religious  principle,  in  doctrine, 
or  in  worship,  or  in  discipline,  being  induced  by  a  characteris- 
tic of  the  Church  of  England,  supposing  the  independence  of 
christian  churches,  under  the  different  sovereignties,  to  which,  re- 
spectively, their  allegiance  in  civil  concerns  belongs.  But  that 
when  the  severance  alluded  to  took  place,  and  ever  since,  this 
church  conceives  of  herself,  as  professing  and  acting  on  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Church  of  England,  is  evident  from  the  organization 


Sll 

of  our  Conventions,  and  from  their  subsequent  proceedings,  as 
recorded  on  the  journals ;  to  which,  accordingly,  this  Convt-ntion 
refer  for  satisfaction  in  the  premises.  But  it  would  be  contrary 
to  fact,  were  any  one  to  infer,  that  the  discipline  exercised  in  this 
church,  or  that  any  proceedings  therein,  are  at  all  dependent  on 
the  will  of  the  civil  or  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  any  foreign 
country. 

The  above  declaration  having  been  communicated  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  they  returned  for  answer  that  they 
concurred  therein. 

A  canon,  altering  and  explaining  the  29th  canon,  concerning  the 
election  and  institution  of  ministers,  was  proposed  and  agreed  to, 
and  sent  to  the  other  house  for  their  concurrence. 

The  following  resolution  concerning  the  book  of  homilies,  was 
proposed  and  adopted,  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  for  their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  Bishops,  taking  into  consideration,  that  the  two 
books  of  homilies  are  referred  to  in  the  35th  article  of  this  church, 
as  containing  a  body  of  sound  christian  doctrine  ;  and  knowing,  by 
their  respective  experience,  the  scarcity  of  the  volume,  rendering 
it  difficult  for  some  candidates  in  the  ministry  to  possess  oppor- 
tunities of  studying  its  contents,  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  to  make  it  a  standing  instruction  to  every  Bi- 
shop, and  to  the  ecclesiastical  authority  in  every  state  destitute  of 
a  Bishop,  to  be  furnisned  (as  soon  as  may  be)  with  a  copy  or  copies 
of  said  work,  and  to  require  it  to  be  studied  by  all  candidates  for 
the  ministry  within  their  respective  bounds  :  under  the  expectation, 
that  when  offering  for  ordination,  the  knowledge  of  its  contents  will 
be  indispensibly  required. 

A  canon,  concerning  the  alms  and  contributions  at  the  holy 
communion,  was  proposed  and  adopted. 

Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  10  o'clock. 

Saturday  3Iorning^  Maij  21s?,  1814.. 

The  canon,  concerning  the  alms  and  contributions  at  the  holy 
communion,  was  taken  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, by  the  Secretary,  for  their  concurrence. 

A  communication  was  made  to  this  house  by  the  President,  re- 
specting two  matters  committed  to  him  by  the  last  triennial  Con- 
vention. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  information  of  the  same  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  ;  to  be  returned 
to  this  house  and  entered  on  their  journal.  The  communication 
is  as  follows : 

The  president  requests  the  attention  of  the  house,  to  those  pas- 
sages in  the  journal  of  1811,  where  it  appears,  that  there  were  laid 
on  him  two  acts  of  duty,  which  consequent  circumstances  have 
prevented  from  being  carried  into  effect. 

The  president,  and  the  Bishop  of  this  church  in  Virginia,  were 


312 

requested  "  to  devise  means  for  supplying  the  congregations  of 
this  church,  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  with  the  ministra- 
tion and  worship  of  the  same,  and  for  organizing  the  church  in 
the  western  states."  In  consequence  of  this  request,  the  Presi- 
dent had  begun  a  correspondence  with  Bishop  Madison  ;  but  all 
further  progress,  was  arrested  by  the  decease  of  the  said  Right 
Rev.  Brother.  This  did  not  hinder  the  President  from  submit- 
ting to  the  Convention  of  this  church,  in  Pennsylvania,  a  propo- 
sal, which  was  complied  with,  designed  so  far  to  meet  the  desires 
of  some  members  of  this  church,  in  the  western  country,  as  that 
in  the  event  of  a  settlement  of  a  Bishop  therein,  the  congrega- 
tions in  the  western  counties  of  the  state  might  be  under  his  su- 
pei-intendance ;  on  such  a  plan  as  would  not  affect  the  integrity  of 
the  church,  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  component  member 
of  the  body  of  this  church  throughout  our  union,  in  contrariety  to 
the  constitution. 

The  President  was  further  requested,  to  address  a  letter  in  be- 
half of  the  Convention  to  the  venerable  society  in  England,  for 
propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  in  reference  to  certain 
lands  held  by  them  in  the  state  of  Vermont,  and  intended  in  the 
original  grant  for  the  benefit  of  the  Episcopal  Church  therein.  It 
was  necessary  to  the  execution  of  this  commission,  that  the  Pre- 
sident should  have  been  furnished  with  certain  documents.  These 
were  delayed  by  some  circumstances  not  under  his  controul,  un- 
til the  occurrence  of  the  present  war ;  which  rendered  a  corres- 
pondence in  the  premises  improper. 

'     The  above  information  was  carried  to  the   House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  by  the  Secretary. 

The  following  recommendation  was  proposed  and  adopted  : 
The  House  of  Bishops,  propose  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies,  the  following  recommendation,  to  be  considered  of 
by  the  house,  and,  if  agreeable,  to  be  returned  to  this  house  and 
entered  on  their  journal. 

Whereas,  a  diversity  of  custom  has  of  late  years  prevailed  in 
the  posture  of  ministers  and  of  the  people,  during  the  act  of  sing- 
ing the  psalms  and  the  hymns  in  metre  ;  the  former  practice  of 
sitting  during  this  part  of  the  service  gradually  giving  way  to  the 
more  comely  posture  of  standing;  it  is  hereby  recommended  by 
this  Convention,  that  it  be  considered  as  the  duty  of  the  ministers 
of  this  church,  to  encourage  the  use  of  the  latter  posture,  and  to 
induce  the  members  of  their  congregations,  as  circumstances  may 
permit,  to  do  the  same :  allowance  to  be  made  for  cases,  in  which 
it  may  be  considered  inconvenient  by  age,  or  by  infirmity.  Prac- 
tice under  this  recommendation,  is  to  begin  from  the  time  when 
suitable  information  shall  have  been  given  by  the  clergy  to  their 
respective  flocks.  And,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  minister  to 
give  notice  of  this  recommendation  to  his  congregation,  at  such  , 
time  las  in  his  discretion  may  be  the  most  proper. 

The   carrying  into  effect  of  the  contemplated  change,  may  be 


313 

delayed  by  the  Bishop  of  any  diocess,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop, 
by  the  ecclesiastical  authority  therein,  until  there  shall  have  been 
time  and  opportunity  of  explaining  satisfactorily  the  grounds  of 
the  me;(sure. 

This  recommendation  was  taken  by  the  Secretary,  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  following  proposition  was  submitted  and  agreed  to,  and 
communicated  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  House  oi  Bishops  communicate  to  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  thti  following  resolve,  and  the  following  rule 
of  the  House  of  Bishops,  to  be  entered  on  their  journal  after  be- 
ing returned  by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

There  was  laid  before  the  house,  an  address  from  the  Rev.  Dr. 
AVm.  Smith,  of  Connecticut,  together  with  sundry  anthems  se- 
lected from  holy  scripture,  and  adapted  to  certain  fasts  and  feasts 
of  the  church.  The  object  of  the  address,  is  to  induce  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  said  anthems  as  parts  of  the  Liturgy. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  it  is  not  expedient  during  this 
Convention,  to  go  into  a  review,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  of 
the  book  -of  common  prayer.  It  could  not,  however,  but  give  sa- 
tisfaction to  the  Bishops  to  recollect,  that  anthems  taken  from 
scripture,  and  judiciously  arranged,  may,  according  to  the  known 
allowance  of  this  church,  be  sung  in  congregations  at  the  discre- 
tion of  their  respective  ministers.  On  this  occasion,  a  question 
arose,  how  far  it  may  be  proper  at  any  meeting  of  the  Convention, 
to  give  their  sanction,  or  that  of  this  house  in  particular,  to  any 
work,  however  tending  to  religious  instruction,  or  to  the  excite- 
ment of  pious  affections.  In  reference  to  this  subject,  it  is  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  the  Bishops  present,  that  no  such  sanction 
should  be  given.  And  it  is  hereby  made  a  rule  of  the  house,  that 
if  any  application  should  be  made  tending  to  such  effect,  it  shall 
not  be  considered  as  regularly  brought  before  them. 

A  message  was  rect  ived  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  communicating  their  concurrence  in  the  canon,  con- 
cerning the  alms  and  contributions  at  the  holy  communion. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  informing,  that  they  agreed  to  the  canon,  concerning 
the  election  and  institution  of  ministers,  and  to  the  resolution 
concerning  the  book  of  homilies. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  returned  to  the  House 
of  Bishops  their  communication  concerning  anthems,  with  the 
thanks  of  said  house,  for  the  course  adopted  by  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops. They  likewise  returned  the  communication  respecting  a 
Bishop  for  the  Western  country,  and  the  correspondence  which 
the  President  of  this  house  was  requested  to  hold  with  the  vener- 
able society  in  England,  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign 
parts,  relative  to  lands  in  Vermont. 

A  resolve  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  concermng"  the  appointment  of  a  committee  in  each  dl- 


314 

ocess,  to  prepare  a  report  on  the  state  ot  the  church  in  that  state 
or  diocess,  previous  to  the  meetings  of  the  General  Convention. 

The  above  resolution  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

A  report  on  the  state  of  the  church,  signed  by  the  President  of 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  agreeably  to  the  45th 
canon,  was  received  from  said  house. 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  Monday  morning. 

3Ionday  morning.  May  23</,  1814. 

Present  as  usual. 

The  resolution  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  con- 
cerning the  preparation  of  a  report  on  the  state  of  the  church, 
was  agreed  to  with  an  amendment,  which  was  sent  to  said  house 
for  their  concurrence. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  returned  the  recom- 
mendation concerning  posture  during  the  singing  of  the  metre 
psalms,  with  their  concurrence. 

The  following  message  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  : 

The  House  of  Bishops  transmit  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and 
Lay  Deputies  the  following  opinions,  the  result  of  attention  to  an 
application  of  the  Clerical  Deputies  from  Connecticut.  If  ap- 
proved of,  it  will  be  entered  on  the  journal  of  the  former  house. 

The  Clerical  Deputies  from  the  diocess  of  Connecticut,  by  di- 
rection of  the  Convention  of  the  same,  requested  the  opinions  of 
the  Bishops  present,  on  the  meaning  of  two  passages  of  the  ca- 
nons :  1st.  Of  this  phrase  in  the  9th  canon — "  In  consideration  of 
certain  other  qualifications  of  the  candidates  ;"  and  2dly,  Of  this 
phrase  in  the  40th  canon—-"  or  by  some  other  joint  act  of  the  par- 
ties, and  of  a  minister  of  this  church." 

In  explanation  of  the  former  phrase,  the  Bishops  are  of  opinion, 
that  if  a  candidate  should  possess  extraordinary  strength  of  natu- 
ral understanding,  a  considerable  extent  of  theological  erudition, 
although  not  derived  through  the  medium  of  the  original  langua- 
ges of  scripture,  a  peculiar  aptitude  to  teach,  and  a  large  share  of 
prudence ;  those  qualifications  may  be  a  ground  of  the  dispensa- 
tion here  referred  to. 

In  reference  to  the  phrase  in  the  40th  canon,  it  would  perhaps 
be  d'fficult  to  define  the  various  ways  in  which  the  consent  spoken 
of  may  be  satisfactorily  evidenced.  But  the  Bishops  are  of  opi- 
nion, that  any  person  duly  baptized  in  any  religious  society  extra- 
neous to  this  communion,  joining  himself  to  any  congregation  of 
this  communion,  and  possessing  an  interest  in  its  concerns,  in  con- 
sequence of  express  or  implied  permission,  may  be  properly  en- 
tered by  the  minister,  on  the  list  of  the  names  of  persons  under 
his  parochial  care.  But  the  Bishops  do  not  consider  themselves 
as  now  called  on  to  consider,  whether  it  may  not  be  expedient  to 
make  provision  for  a  more  definite  mode,  for  the  receiving  into 
this  church  of  persons  not  baptized  within  Its  pale,  but  joining  it 
on  conviction  and  with  fair  characters. 


315 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  by  their  Secretary,  signifying  the  concurrence  of  that 
house  with  the  proposed  amendment  to  the  resolution  concerning 
the  preparation  of  a  report  on  the  state  of  the  church,  and  their  ap- 
probation of  the  opinions  with  respect  to  the  9th  and  40th  canons. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  requesting  the  concurrence  of  this  house,  in  a  resolu- 
tion respecting  the  securing  of  a  copy-right  of  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer.  ^ 

This  house  appointed  Bishops  White  and  Hobart  a  committee 
to  consult  with  tlHj-  Rev.  Dr.  How,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wm.  Wil- 
mer,  a  committee  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  up- 
on the  above  mentioned  subject. 

The  report  on  the  state  of  the  church,  transmitted  to  this  house 
by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  was  read  by  the  Se- 
cretary. 

A  pastoral  letter  was  proposed  and  adopted,  and  sent  to  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  requesting  the  concurrence  of  this  house  in  a  resolution 
concerning  the  making  better  known  the  constitution,  canons,  &Cf 
of  the  church. 

Dr.  Kemp  and  Mr.  Herbert  were  the  bearers  of  a  resolve  from 
the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  concerning  the  publica- 
tion of  the  sermons  delivered  by  the  Bishops  before  the  Conven- 
tion, which  resolve,  after  being  so  amended  by  the  House  of  Bi- 
shops as  to  include  the  sermon  preached  by  the  President  of  the 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  was  agreed  to  by  this  house. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  concurred  in  the 
amendment. 

Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  9  o'clock. 

Tuesday  mornings  3Iay  24f/j,  1814. 

This  house  attended  divine  service  as  usual  in  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  joint  committee  of  the  two  houses,  on  securing  the  copy- 
right of  the  book  of  common  prayer,  reported  ;  which  report  was 
adopted  by  both  houses. 

Resolved^  That  to  the  volume  of  Journals  already  directed  to 
be  reprinted,  there  be  added  a  second  appendix  containing  the 
two  pastoral  letters  read  in  the  last  two  preceding  Conventions, 
and  the  pastoral  letter  read  in  this  Convention. 

This  resolution  was  taken  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies,  and  returned  with  their  concurrence. 

Resolved^  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Bishops,  and,  in  those  dio- 
cesses  in  which  there  are  no  Bishops,  to  the  standing  committees 
therein,  to  enquire  in  the  respective  diocesses  or  states,  and  to 
consider  for  themselves,  concerning  the  expediency  of  establish- 
ing a  theological  seminary^  to  be  conducted  under  the  general  au- 


316 

thority  of  this  church ;  and  to  report  to  the  next  General  Conven- 
tion. 

The  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  concurred  in  the  above 
resolution. 

The  resolution  concerning  the  making  known  the  constitution, 
canons,  &c.  was  considered,  agreed  to,  and  sent  back  to  the  House 
of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies. 

The  house  received  from  the  Hou^se  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  resolution  respecting  institutions  for  the  advancement  of 
Christianity,  in  which  they  concurred. 

This  house  agreed  with  the  House  of  CleriocI  and  Lay  Depu- 
ties, in  appointing  the  next  General  Convention  to  be  held  at  New 
York. 

Information  having  been  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies,  that  they  had  appointed  a  committee  of  their 
house  to  superintend  the  publication  of  the  Journal,  &c.  Bishop 
White  was  requested  to  act  as  a  committee  on  the  part  of  this 
house. 

This  house  received  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  De- 
puties, a  resolve,  requesting  the  House  of  Bishops  to  appoint  one 
of  their  own  order  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening  of  the  next 
General  Convention. 

A  canon  repealing  part  of  the  45th  canon  of  1 808,  was  adopted, 
and  sent  to  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  in  which 
they  concurred. 

This  house  returned  for  answer  to  the  resolve  of  the  House  of 
Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  requesting  the  House  of  Bishops  to 
appoint  one  of  their  own  order  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the  opening 
of  the  next  General  Convention. 

The  Bishops  concur  in  the  above  resolve ;  hoping  that  it  may 
be  consistent  with  the  state  of  health  of  their  brother  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Ciaggett  to  be  present,  and  to  preach ;  and,  in  the 
case  of  his  absence,  resolving,  that  the  next  Bishop  In  seniority, 
who  may  not  already  have  preached  at  the  opening  of  a  Conven- 
tion, be  requested  to  perform  the  duty. 

The  House  of  Bishops  beinj;  ready  to  adjourn,  and  having  re- 
ceived information  from  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
that   they  were  also  ready,  the  business  of  the  Convention  was 
concluded  with  solemn  prayer  by  the  presiding  Bishop. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops^ 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  B;shop. 

Attested.     Jackson  Kemper,  Secretary. 


canons—Passed  in  1814. 
Canon  I.    Concerning  the  Ahis  and  Contributions  at  the  Holy 

Communion. 
Whereas,  it  appears,  that  ro  direction  has  been  made,  as  to  the 


317 

mode  in  which  the  alms  and  contributions  at  the  administration  of 
the  holy  communion  are  to  be  applied,  it  is  hereby  declared,  that 
they  shall  be  deposited  with  the  minister  of  the  parish,  or  witii  such 
church  officer  as  shall  be  appointed  by  him,  to  be  applied  by  the 
minister  or  under  his  superintendance,  to  such  pious  and  charita- 
ble uses  as  shall  be  thought  fit. 

Canon  II.  Altering'  and  explaining  the  29th  Canon^  concerning 

the  election  and  institution  of  Ministers. 

So  much  of  the  29th  canon  of  1808,  as  requires  the  institution 
of  an  assistant  minister,  in  order  to  his  being  considered  as  a  re- 
gularly admitted  and  settled  parochial  minister  in  any  diocess  or 
state,  and  his  having  a  voice  in  the  choice  of  a  Bishop,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  not  having  been  instituted,  and  as  excludes  a  Dea- 
con trom  a  seat  and  vote  in  any  Convention  where  he  is  not  ex- 
cluded by  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church  in  any  diocess, 
is  hereby  repealed.  It  is  also  declared,  in  explanation  of  the  said 
canon,  that  the  provision  concerning  the  use  of  the  office  of  insti- 
tution, is  not  to  be  considered  as  applying  to  any  congregation 
destitute  of  a  house  of  worship. 

Canon  III.  Repealing  part  ofthe^Sth  Canon  of  1808. 

That  part  of  the  45th  canon  of  1808,  which  requires  that  the 
parochial  reports  inserted  on  the  Journals  of  each  state  or  dioce- 
san Convention,  shall  be  read  in  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay 
Deputies  in  General  Convention,  is  hereby  repealed. 
Bi/  order  oj  the  House  of  Bishops. 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attest.     Jackson  Kemper,  Secretary. 

By  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies^ 

JOHN  CROES,  D.  D.  President. 
Attest,     Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 


List  of  the  Clergy  of  the   Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in   the 
United  States  of  America. 

Eastern  Diocess.  Massachusetts. 

Composed  of  the  sUttes  of  Massachu-  The  Rev.  John   Sylvester  J.   Gardiner, 
setts,  Rhode  Island,  New  Hampsiiire  Rector  of  Trinity  church,  Boston. 

and  Vermont.  Asa  Eaton,  Rector  of  Christ  church, 

The  Right  Rev.  Alexander  Viets  Gris-  Boston,  of  St.  Mar}-*s,  Newton,  and 

wold.  Bishop.  of  Christ  churcli,  Cambridge. 

JVe^u  Hampshire.  -    ■     John  P.  K.  Henshaw,  Deacon,  offi- 
Thp  Rev.  Charles  Bui-roughs,    Rector  ciates  at  Marblehead. 

of  St.  John's  church,  Portsmouth.         ■       William  Montague,  Rector  of  St. 

John  H.  Fowle,  Rector  of Paul's  church,  Dedham. 

church,  Holdcrnesse.  James  Morss,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's 

— —  Daniei  Barber,   Rector   of  Union  church,  Newburyport, 

church,  Clermont.  Amos  Purdy,  Hector  of  St.  Luke's 

— -  Mr.  Catlin,  officiates  at  Plainfield.  church,  Lanesborough. 

—— •  Samuel  Mead.  Samuel  Griswold,   Rector  of  Su 


318 


James's  church.  Great  Barring- 
ton,  and  the  church  at  Lenox. 

— k—  Joab  G.  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  An- 
drew's church,  Hanover,  and  offici- 
ates also  at  Marshfield  and  Quincy. 

— —  Aaron  Humphrey,  Deacon,  offici- 
ates in  St.  Ann's  church,  Gardhier. 

-—» Titus  Strong,  Deacon,  officiates  at 
Greenfield. 

Rhode  Island. 

The  Right  Rev.  Alexander  V.  Griswold, 
Rector  of  St.Michaerschurch,Bristol. 

The  Rev.  Xathan  B.  Crocker,  Rector 
of  St.  John's  church.  Providence. 

Salmon  Wheaton,  Rector  of  Tri- 
nity church,  Newport. 

— —  James  Bowers,  officiates  in  Nar- 
raganset. 

Vermont. 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Brunson,  Manches- 
ter and  Arlington. 

Cmniecticut. 

The  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield,  D.  D.  Rec- 
tor of  Christ  church,  Derby,  and  the 
church  in  Great  Hill. 

John  Tyler,  Rector  of  Christ  church, 

Norwich. 

Daniel  Fogg,  Rector  of  — — — 

church,  Pomfret. 

' Phiio   Shelton,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Fairfield,  St.  John's  church, 
Stratfield,  and  the  cluircli  at  Wes- 
ton. 

— —  Ashbel  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Christ's 
church,  Stratford,  and  Trinity 
church,  Trumbull. 

Tiilotson  Bronson,  D.  D.  Prin- 
cipal of  the  Episcopal  Acade- 
my, Cheshire. 

William  Smitli,  D.  D.  resident  at 

Norwalk. 

Cliauncy  Prindle,   Rector   of  the 

churches  of  Oxford  and  Salem. 

Reuben  Ives,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Cheshire,  and  officiating  in 
the  churches  in  Hambden,  Walhng- 
ford,  Southington  and  Meriden. 

Truman  Marsh,  Rector  of  the  As- 
sociated churches  in  Litchfield. 

L»aniel  Burhans,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Newtown. 

• Solomon  Blakesley,  Rector  of  St. 

Stephen's  church,  East  Haddam. 

Charles   Seabury,    Rector   of  St. 

James's  churcii,  New  London. 

Smith  Miles,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es of  Chatham,  and  Ghistenbary. 

Philander  Chase,  Rector  of  Trinity 

churcli,  Hartford. 

Menzies  Rayner,    Rector  of  the 

churches  in  Huntington. 

Calvin  White,  Assistant  Minister 

of  the  church,  in  Derby. 


The  Rev.  Bethel  Judd,  Rector  of  St 
Paul's  church,  Nor\valk,  and  the 
church  at  V/ilton. 

— —  Henry  Whitlock,  Rector  of  Trinity 
church,  Nev/  Haven,  and  St.  Mat- 
thew's, Bristol. 

Roger  Searl,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 

church,  Plymouth. 

Virgil  H.  Barber,  Rector  of  St. 

John's  church,  Waterbury. 

-  Asa  Cornwall,  Assistant  in  the 
Episcopal  Academy,  Cheshire. 

— —  Jonatlian  Judd,  Minister  of  the 
churches  in  Stamford  and  Horse- 
neck. 

Elijah  G.  Plumb,  Minister  of  the 

churches  in  Branford,  East  Haven, 
North  Branford,  and  Northford. 

— —  Benjamin  Benham,  Rector  of  St. 
John's  church.  New  Milford,  and 
the  churches  of  Bridgewater,  and 
Brookfield. 

David   Baldwin,   Rector   of  the 

churches  of  Guildford,  North  Guild- 
ford, and  North  Bristol. 

Joseph  D.  Welton,  Minister  of  the 

churches  of  Woodburj',  Roxbury, 
and  Kent. 

Isaac  Jones,  Assistant  Minister  of 

the  churches,  Litchfield. 

Sturgis   Gilbert,  Minister  in  the 

cliurches  of  Kent  and  Sharon. 

Nathaniel  Huse,    Minister    of  the 

church  at  East  Windsor. 

Frederick    Holcomb,   Minister  of 

the  churches  in  Harwington,  and 
Northfield. 

Birdseye  G.  Noble,  Deacon,  offici- 
ating at  Christ  church,  Middletown. 

Nathan  B.  Burges,  residing  at  Mil- 
ford. 

Jasper  D.  Jones,  residing  at  Sims- 
bury. 

J\re7v  York. 

The  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D. 

Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  Bishop,  and 

Rector  of  Trinity  church.  New 
York. 

• John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D.  As- 
sistant Bishop,  and  Assistant 
Rector  of  Trinity  cluirch.  New  York. 

The  Rev.  Parker  Adams,  Trinity  chm-ch, 
Lansingburgh,  Renssalaer  county, 
and  Grace  church,  Waterford,  Sa- 
ratoga county. 

Amos  G.  Baldwin,  Rector  of  Trini- 
ty church,  Utica,  Oneida  county. 

Virgil  H.  Barber,   Principal  of  the 

Academy,  and  Minister  of  Trinity 
church,  Fairfield.  Herkimer  county. 

Theodosius    Bartow,    Rector    of 

Trinity  cl\urch.  New  Rochellc, 
W^est  Chester. 


319 


The  Rev.  Edmund  D.Barry,  Principal  of 
tlie  Protestant  Episcopal  Academy, 
New  York  ;  officiating  at  St.  Mat- 
thew's clmrch,  city  of  Jersey. 
■  William  Berrian,  Assistant  Minis- 
ter of  Trinity  church,  New  York. 

-i^—  John  Bowden,  D.  D.  Professor 
of  Rhetoric  and  Moral  Philosophy 
in  Columbia  CoUejje,  New  York. 

Natlianael  Bowen,  1).  D.  Rector  of 

Grace  church,  New  York. 

John  Brady,  Assistant  Minister  of 

St.  Georg-e's  church,  New  York. 

David  Butler,  Uector  of  St.  Paul's 

church,  Troy,  Renssalaer  county. 

.»■.  Bai-zillai  Bulkeley,  Hector  of  St. 
George's  church.  Flushing,  Long 
Island. 

——William  A.Clark,  Missionary,  Onon- 
dago  county,  and  parts  adjacent. 

Orin  Clark,  Trinity  church,  Gene- 
va, Ontario  county. 

Timothy  Clowes,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  Albany. 

Elias  Cooper,  Rector  of  St.  John's 

church,  Yonkers,  West  Chester 
coimty. 

Harry   Croswell,  Deacon,  Christ 

church,  Columbia  county. 

Adam  Empie,  West  Point. 

Henry  J.  Feltus,  Rector  of  St.  Ann's 

church,  Brooklyn,  Long  Island. 
Samuel  Fuller,  Missionarj-,  Albany 

and  Green  couHties, 

N.    Felch,      residing    in    West 

Chester  county. 

WilUam  Hammel,  residing  in  New 

York. 

•—William  Harris,  D.D.  Rector  of  St. 
Mark's  church.  New  York,  and 
President  of  Columbia  college,  New 
York. 

— —  Setli  Hart,  Rector  of  St.  George's 
church,  Hempstead,  and  Christ 
church,  Noi-th  Hempstead,  Long 
Island. 

— —  Samuel  Haskill,  Rector  of  Christ 
church.  Rye,  West  Chester  county. 

Thomas  Y.  How,  D.  D.  an  Assist- 
ant Minister  of  Trinity  church.  New 
York. 

— —  David  Huntington,  Deacon,  St. 
Paul's  church,  Charlton,  Saratoga 
county. 

.^amuel  F.  Jarvis,  St.   Michael's 

church,  Bloommgdule,  and  St. 
James's,  Hamilton  Square,  New 
Y'ork. 

Stephen   Jewett,    Christ   church, 

Hampton,  Washington  county. 

Cave  Jones,  residing  in  tlie  city  of 

New  York. 

Evan    M.'.lbone   Johnson,  Deacen, 

Grace  church,  New  York. 


The  Rev.   John  Kewlej^  M.  D.   Rector 

of  St.  George's  church.  New  Y'ork. 

WillLim    B.   Lacey,    Deacon,    St 

Paul's  church,  Paris,  Oneida  coun- 
ty- 

Tliomas  Lyell,  Rector  of  Christ 

churcli,  New  York. 

Daniel     M'Donald,     SL     Peter's 

churcli.  Auburn,  Cayuga  county. 

John  M*Vick:u',  St.  James's  churchy 

Hyde  Park,  Dutcliess  county. 

David  Moore,  St.  Andrew's  church, 

Staten  Island. 

Henry  Moscrop,  residing  in  New 

York. 

Daniel  Nash,  Rector  of  the  church- 
es in  Otsego  county. 

Benjamin  1'.  Onderdonk,  Deacon, 

an  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity 
church.  New  York. 

Joseph  Perry,  Rector  of  St.  James's 

churcli,  Milton,  and  St.  Paul's 
church,  Ballston  Spa,  Saratoga 
county. 

Joseph  Prentice,  Rector  of  Trinity 

church,  Athens,  Greene  county. 

William    Powell,    St.    Andrew's 

church,  Coldenham,  and  St.  James's 
church,  Goshen,  Orange  county. 

John    Reed,    Rector    of    Christ 

church,  Poughkeepsie,  Dutchess 
county. 

Gilbert  H.  SajTes,  Grace  church, 

Jamaica,  Long  Island. 

Cyrus     Stebbins,   Rector   of  St. 

George's  church,  Schenectady. 

James  Thompson,  Deacon,  Mis- 
sionary, Greene  and  Delawai-e  coun- 
ties. 

Frederick  Van  Home,  residing  at 

Coldenham. 

• Alanson  W.  Welton,  Deacon,  Mis- 
sionary, Ontario  and  adjacent  coun- 
ties. 

Russel  Wheeler,  Missionaiy,  Har- 
mony church,  Butternutts,  St.  Mat- 
thew's church,  Unadilla,  Otsego 
county,  and  parts  adjacent. 

Eh  Wheeler,  Deacon,  Hempstead, 

Isaac  Wilkins,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St. 

Peter's  church,  West  Chester,  and 
St.  Paul's  church.  East  Chester. 

Joseph  Willai'd,  residing  in  New 

York. 

Ralph  Williston,   Rector  of  Ziou 

church.  New  York. 
J\'*ew  Jersey. 

The  Rev.  Abraliam  Beach,  D.  D.  resid- 
ing near  New  Brunswick. 

Charles  H.  Wharton,  D.  D.   Rec- 

tor  of  St.  Mar/s  church,  Burling- 
ton. 

John  Croes,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Christ 

church.    New  Brunswick. 


320 


The  Rev.  John  C.  Rudd,  Rector  of  St. 

Jolin's  church,  Elizabethtovvn. 

— —  Simon  Wilmer,  Rector  of  Trinity 
chuixh,  Swedesborough. 

——  James  Chapman,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's church,  PerUi  Amboy. 

— —  John  Qroes,  jun.  Rector  of  Christ 
church,  Slu-ewsbury. 

Daniel  Higbee,  St.  Andrew's  church, 

Mount  Holly. 

— —  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  Deacon,  Trinity 
church,  Newark. 

Pen7isylvania. 

The  Right  Rev.  William  White,  I>.  D, 

Bishop,  &  ttector  of  Christ  church, 
St.  Peter's  and  St.  James's,  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  Rev  Robert  Blackwell,D.  D. resid- 
ing m  Philadelphia. 

— —  Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D.  residing  in 
Philadelphia. 

' James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  senior 

Assistant  Minister  of  Christ  church, 
St.  Petci-'s,  and  St.  James's,  Phila- 
delphia. 

— —  Joseph  Pilraore,  D.  D.  Rector  of 
St.  Paul's  church,  i'hiladeljihia 

Frederick  Beasley,  1>.  1).  Provost 

of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

WiUiam  Ay  res,  residing  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

Jolm  Campbell,  Rector  of  Carlisle. 

.^ Joseph  Purner,  Rector  of  St.  Mar- 
tin's, Marcus  Hook. 

Slator  Clay,  Rector  of  St.  James's, 

Perkiomen,  St.  Peter's  Great  Val- 
ley, and  St.  Thomas's,  Whitemarsh. 

Joseph  Clarkson,    Rector    of    St. 

James's,  Lancaster,  St.  John's,  Pe- 
quea,  and  Bangor  churcli,  Carnar- 
von. 

James  Wiltbank,  Rector  of  Trini- 
ty church,  l)xford,  and  All  Saints, 
Lower  Dublin. 

Robert  Ayres,  residing  in  Browns- 
ville. .      ^ 

,- —  Francis  Reno,  officiating  in  the 
counties  of  Beaver  and  Alleglmny. 

. Caleb  Hopkins,  Rector    of  Clirist 

church,  Derry  township,  St.  Paul's, 
Bloom  township,  and  Christ  cliurch, 
Turbut  township,  Northumberland 
county. 

— —  Absalom  Jones,  (a  coloured  man,) 
Rector  of  the  .'\frican  chuixh  of  St. 
Thomas,  Philadelphia. 

John   Taylor,    Hector  of  Trinity 

church,  Pittsburgh. 

Levi  Bull,  Rector  of  St.  Gabriel's, 

Berks  county,  and  St.  Mary's, 
Chester  county. 

— — -  John  Armstrong,  Rector  of  St 
John's,  York  town. 


The  Hev.  Jackson  Kempel*,  Assistant  Mi- 
nister of  Christ  church,  St.  Peter's, 
and  St.  James's,  PhiladelpWa 

— — .  Richard  D.  Hall,  Rector  of  St, 
James  the  Greater's,  Bristol. 

— —  Jehu  Curtis  Clay,  Deacon,  officiat- 
ing at  St.  David's,  Radnor. 
Delaivare. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Clay,  Rector  of  Emaiiu- 
el  chtu-ch.  New  Castle. 

WiUiam   Pryce,    Rector  of    St. 

James's,  Newport. 

J^'faryland. 
The  Right  Rev.  Thomas  John  Claggett, 

D.  D.  Bishop. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Kemp,  first  Rector, 

St.  Paul's,  Baltimore. 
Wm.  E.  Wyatt,  Second  Rector,  St. 

Paul's,  Baltimore. 

Galen  Hicks,  Rector  of  Trinity, 

Baltimore. 

-^—  George  Dashiell,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's,  Baltimore. 

— —  Benjamin  Contee,  Rector  of  Wil- 
Ham  and  Mary  parish,  Charles  co. 

John  Weems,  Rector  of  J'ort  To- 
bacco parish,  Charles  county. 

Noble  Young,  Rector  of  Durham. 

William  Gibson,  Rector  of  Queen 

Anne's  parish.  Prince  George's  cov 

William  Ninde,  Hector  of  St.  Ann's 

parish,  Annapolis. 

Purnell  F.  Smith,  Rector  of  St. 

James's  parisli.  Prince  George's  co. 

— —  George  Lemmon,  Rector  of  Queen 
Caroline,  Prince  George's  co. 

Walter  D.   Addison,  Rector  of  St, 

John's,  Territory  of  Columbia. 

Andrew  T.  M'Cormick,  Rector  of 

Washington,  Territory  of  Columbia. 

Thomas   Read,  Rector  of  Prince 

George's,  Montgomery  co. 

John  Chandler,    Rector    of    St. 

Mark's,  Montgomery  county. 

Irvine,  Rector  of  St.  John's, 

Montgomery  co. 
John  Allen,  Rector  of  St.  George's, 

Harford  county. 

Henry  Lyon  Davis,  Rector  of  St. 

Stephen's,  Cecil  co. 

William  Duke,  residing  in  Elkton. 

Samuel   H.    Turner,    Rector    of 

Chester  parish,  Kent  county. 

'  Daniel    Stephens,   Rector   of   St. 

Paul'sj  Queen  Anne's  coimty. 

Tliomas  Bayne,  Rector  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's, Talbot  county. 

— —  William  Stone,  Rector  of  Stepney 
parish,  Somerset  county. 

— —  James  Laird,  Rector  of  Somerset 
parish,  Somerset  county. 
Virginia. 

No  list  of  tlie  Clergy  in  this  state  was 
fomisljed  to  the  Convention: 


321 

South  Carolina,  The  Rev.  William  Percy,  D.  D.  Rector  of 

The  Rit^ht  Rev.  Theodore  Dehon,  D.  D.  the  third  Episcopal  church,  Charles- 

Bishop.  ton. 

The  Rev.  John  Barnwell  Campbell,  Rec-  — —  James  Dewar  Simons,  Rector  of  St 

tor  of  St.  Helena's  church,  Beaufort.  Philip's  church,  Charleston. 

• Frederick  Dalcho,  Deacon,  offici-  — —  Charles  Blair  Snowden,  Rector  of 

ating  in  St.  Paul's,  Stono.  St.  Stephen's. 

— —   Andrew    Fowler,    Rector  of  the  — —  John  Jacob  Tschudy,  Rector  of 

church  on  Edisto  Island.  St.  John's  parish,  ff*irkley. 

Hugh  Fraser,  Rector  of  All  Saints.  —   Joseph    Weaver,  Rector    of  St, 

Christopher  E.  Gadsden,  assisting  Thomas  and  St.  Dennis. 

minister  of  St.  Philip's,  Charleston. 

—— Christian  Hanckel,  Deacon,  officiat-  Clergymen  not  having-  Cures. 

ing  in  St.  Luke's  parish. 

— —    Philip   Matthews,  Rector  of  the  The  Rev.  Thomas  Gates,  D.  D- 

church  on  St.  Helena's  Island.  Milwood  Pogson. 

— —  Thomas  jNIills,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.    Paul  Feropier  Gervais, 

Andrew's  parish.  O.  Farrell. 


Certificate  of  Bishop  Mooters  consecration. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  William  White,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, presiding  Bishop  ;  John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D.  assistant 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New 
York;  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  eastern  diocese,  and  Theodore  Dehon, 
D,  D.  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of 
South  Carolina,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  in  St. 
James's  Church,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday,  the 
eighteenth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fourteen,  did  then  and  there  rightly  and  ca- 
nonically  consecrate  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Richard  Channing 
Moore,  D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  of  whose  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  soundness  in 
the  faith,  and  purity  of  manners  we  were  fully  ascertained,  into 
the  office  of  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
state  of  Virginia,  to  which  he  hath  been  elected  by  the  Conven- 
tion of  said  state. 

Given  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia^  this  eighteenth  day  of  May ^  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  four  teeny 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  (l.  s.) 

JOHN  HENRY  HOBART,  (l.  s.) 

ALEXANDER  V.  GRISWOLD,  (l.  s.) 
THEODORE  DEHON,  (l.  s.) 


Tt 


FIRST  APPENDIX. 


CANONS 


FOR  THE 


GOVERNMENT 


OP   THE 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

,     .1,.:..].  ..•-.  i^i^i  (i\f 

IN    THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA: 

.SOSrio  no!lTJvnoOf>il)«I     -ccii  ,.  ,.  ,1  .'jv  h- lu-n  hn^;,bjHarldi;qo'i!)WSfui>MJ 

vsdT    .  bj^;  i  r;!dju.'ije  nohaii  msi\i"Ui :  .  i  ctimjs  -jrfJ  %  .aoaup^anoo  ni  itwtsdmuB 

JdiloJ.    SUBSTAKCE  OF  VARIOUS  CANONS  :  wra-^ 

vnontj       ::.c,.;     Vi:  c,  '  '  idi^o  ie.^ 

''■..'    ,.i  .•Li'>3C«»i8lci7  biss  3d.  ,MPI 'Jo  tjaorft  bflB  1181 'io 

'      '  ^^  •  ADOPTED    IN  ■  ,, 

GENERAL  CONVENTIONS 

OF  SAID  CHURCH, 

Head  in  the   Years  of  our  Lord  1789,  1792,  1795,   1799,  1801,   1804,  aiid  set 
forth,  with  alterations  and  additions,  in  General  Convention,  A.  D.  1808. 

LIKEWISE, 

THE  CANON  OP  1811,  AND  THE  CANONS  OF  18U. 
TO  WHICH  ARE  AJ^J^EXED, 

THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  CHURCH; 

The  Prayer  to  be  used  at  the  Meetings  of  Convention;  and  the 
Course  of  Ecclesiastical  Studies. 


k    ' 


advertisement! 


%VTrH  each  of  the  journals  to  1804,  inclusively,  the  Canons  passed  at 
the  time  were  published,  and  numbered  1,  2,  3,  &c.  In  the  Convention  of  1808, 
as  well  the  preceding  Canons,  as  those  at  that  time  passed,  were  differently 
numbered,  in  consequence  of  the  arranging  of  them  under  suitable  heads.  They 
are  now  printed  as  in  the  edition  of  those  then  pii^lishfedi  except,  that  of  the 
last  of  them  the  title  alone  appears,  it  ha'nng  been  since  repealed.  The  Canons 
of  1811  and  those  of  1814,  are  exliibited  as  of  the  said  years  respectively,  au^ 
those  of  the  latter  year  are  accordingly  numbered  1,  2,  and  3. 


•••  ■  \  ■      .    M  \..  ;.(.'■■■:    >'■■■■.    ■ 

p«NSTSTt7TioN  of  the  ProtjWtftnt  Episcopal  Chivob  ib  tte  United  States 

of  America.  -  -  -  •  -  ••  -        327 

CanoM  of  the  Prqtestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  gtates  of  America. 

Canons  c;/"1808.  ,.;  ; 

Canon  I.  Of  the  Ordei's  of  Ministers  in  Uiis  Churcl». ,  .).•>.  -        329 

Canon  11.  Of  the  Election  of  Bishops.  -  .     ,        -  -  ib. 

Canon  III.  Certificates  to  b^  produced  on  the.  part  of  Bishops  elect. 
Canon  ly .  Of  Standing  Comnuttees.  -   •         -  -  -  ib. 

Canon  V.  Of  the  Consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  recess  of  the  General 

Convention.        -  -  -  -  "  "        3j0 

Canon  VI.  Of  the  Age  of  those  who  are  to  be  ordained  or  consecrated,  ib. 
ConoK  MI.  Of  Candidates  for  Orders.         .  -  -  -        ^ib. 

Ca7ion\l\\.  Of  the  Conduct  required  in  Candidate?  for  Orders.  331 

Canon  IJC.  Of  the  Learning  of  those  who  are  to  be  Ordained.  -  ib. 

Canon  X.  Of  the  preparatory  Exercises  of  a.  Candidate  for  Deacon's 

Orders.  -  -  -  -  -  -  ib. 

Canon  XI.  Of  the  preparatory  exercises  pf  a  Candidate  for  Priest's 

Orders.  »  .         ,    -  -  -  -        332 

. :  Cq^wn  XII.  Of  the  Testimonials  Ito  be  pi:<)du9ed  on  the  pai^  of  those 

who  are  to  be  Ordained.      .      -  -  -  -  ib. 

C<B|j«n  Xin.  Of  the  Titles  of  those  who  arc  to  be  Ordained.  -        333 

Csinon  XIT.  Of  Candidates  coming  from  pkces  within  the  United  States 
in  which  the  Constitution  of  tliis  Church  has  not  been  ac- 
ceded to.  -  -  .  -  -  -  -        354 

Ca7ion  XV.  Of  the  times  of  Ordination.         -       .      -  -  -  ib. 

Cw?w  XVI-  Of  Candidates  who  may  be  refused  Orders.  -  ib. 

'    CflrufTi  XVII.  Of  those  who  have  officiated  as  Ministers  among  other 
denomination  of  Cliristians,  and  apply  for  Orders  in  this 
Church.  -  -  -  -  -  -  ib. 

Canon  XVIII.  Of  Clergymen  ordained  for  foreign  parts.     -  -    ^     ib. 

Canon  XIX.  Respecting  Candidates  for  Orders  who  are  L.iy  Readers.  335 
Canon  XX.  Of  Episcopal  Visitation.  .  -  -  -  ib. 

Ca7Jo?iXXI.  Ofthe  duty  of  Ministers  in  regard  to  Episcopal  Visitations,    ib. 
Canon  XXII.  Of  Parochial  Instruction.         ....         336 

Canon  XXIII.  Of  Episcopal  Charges  and  Pastoral  Letters.  -  ib. 

Canon  XXIV.  Of  a  Council  of  Advice.         -  -  -  -  ib. 

Canon  XXV.  Notorious  Crimes  and  Scandals  to  be  censured,  -  ib. 

Canon  XXVI,  Sober  conversation  required  in  Ministeis.     -  -  ib. 

Canon  XXVII.  Of  publishing  the  Sentence  of  Degradation  against  a 

ClergAman.        ....--        337 

Canon  XXVIII.  Of  a  Clergyman   in  any  Diocese  chargeable  with   mis- 
demeanor in  any  other.  -  -  -  •  ib. 
Canon  XXIX.  Concerning  the  Election  and  Listitution  of  Ministers  into 

Parishes  or  Churches.  .  -  -  -  ib. 

Canon  XXX.  Respecting  the  Dissolution  of  all  Pastoral  Connection 

between  Ministers  and  tlieir  congregations.       -  -         338 

Canon  XXXI.  Concerning   Ministers  removing  from  one  Diocese  or 

State  to  another.  .....        339 

Canon  XXXII.  Respecting  Differences  between  Ministers  and  their 

Congregations.  .  -  -  -  -  ib. 

CoTion  XXXni.  Of  tlie  officiating  of  Ministers  of  this  Church  in  the 
Churches,  or  within  the  Parochial  Cures  of  otlier  Clergy- 
men.      .......        340 

Canon  XXXIV.  Of  the  Use  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer.        -  ib. 

Canon  XXXV.  Of  the  officiating  of  persons  not   Ministers  of  tliis 

Church.  ......         ib. 


CONTENTS. 

Canon  XXXVT.  Of  Clergymen  Ordained  by  Foreign  Bishops,  and  de- 
sirous of  officiating  or  setUing  in  this  Church.  -         341 
Cation  XXXVII.  To  prevent  a  Congregation  m  any  diocese  or  State 

from  uniting  with'  a  Church  in  any-  other  Diocese  or  State,    ib. 
Canon  XXXVIII.  To  empower  the  Bishop  in  each  Diocese  or  District 
to  compose  Forms  of  Prayer  or  Thanksgiving  for  extraor- 
..*'  ^  dinary  occasions.  -  -  -  -  -  il>. 

''■'^'IPanoTt  XXXIX.  Of  the  due  Celebration  of  Sundays.        ^  >or.r-j.TjT..:  .-jl,^ 
^'''-        Canon  Xh.  Ministers  to  keep  a  Register.     -      "      -  ^st-.  .'!/_   ,.»  2^2- 

Canoti  XLI.  A  List  to  be  made,  and  published,  of  the  Mmisters  of  this 

Church.  -  -  -  -  -  -  ib. 

^po       Canon  XLII.  Of  the  Mode  of  calling  Special  Meeting  of*  the;  General 
•"'.  Convention.         -  -  .  .'  J  .  ib. 

Canon  XLIII.  Prescribing  the  mode  of  publishing  authorizied  Editions 

of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  &c.  - '  -        343 

^'•^'^dnon  XLIV.  Concerning  the  Mode  of  transmitting  Nbticd  of  all  Mat- 
^''•''        '  ters  submitted  by  the  General  Convention  to  the  Conside- 

•'■     '  *'■  ration  of  the  State  or  Diocesan  Conventions.  '    '-  -  ib. 

Canon  XLV.  Providing  for  an  accurate  View  of  the  State  of  the  Church 

from  time  to  time.  -  -  -  -'  -  ib. 

CanonXLYl.  Providing  for  making  known  the  Ctmatitutibn  sfnd  Canons 

of  the  Church.  .  -  - ■  -  -        344 

Canon  of  1811.  .?  .^JvO 

Canon  repealing  the  XLVIth  Canon  of  1808.      -J  9^^  '^^   t*^  k-'^'"*.  ib. 

Ca7ions  of  1814.  ,.  •'"/'"''■* 

Canon  i.  eonceming  the  alms  and  contributions  at  tlte  Holy  Commu- 

'    nion.       -  -  ...  -  .  ib. 

Canoii  II.  Altering  and  expla:ining  the  XXIXth  Canon,  cdhcerning  the 

Election  and  Institution  of  Ministers.         '  '     ■-  .     '   345 

Canon  lU.  Repealing  part  of  the  XLVth  Canon  of  1808.  ib. 

A  Prayer  to  be  used  at  the  Meetings  of  Convention,  adopted  in  General  Con- 
vention of  1799.  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  ib. 

Course  of  Ecclesiastical  Studies,  established  by  the  House  of  Bishops  in  the 
Convention  ofl8G4,  in  pursuance  of  a  Resolution  of  the  preceding  General 
Convention.  -  -  -  -  -  !•,       i     .  .  ib. 

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.VZXZ  I 


CONSTITUTION 


Of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  Stales  of  America, 

Art.  1.  THERE  shall  be  a  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  on  the  third  Tuesday  in 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1808,  and  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  May  in 
every  third  year  cfterrvards,  in  such  place  as  shall  be  determined  by  the 
Convention ;  and  special  meetings  may  be  called  at  other  times,  in  the 
manner  hereafter  to  be  provided  for :  and  this  Church,  in  a  majority  of 
the  states  which  shall  have  adopted  this  Constitution,  shall  be  repres«nt- 
ed,  before  they  shall  proceed  to  business ;  except  that  the  representation 
from  two  states  shall  be  sufficient  to  adjourn ;  and  in  all  business  of  the 
Convention,  freedom  of  debate  shall  be  allowed. 

Art.  2.  The  church  in  each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation 
of  both  the  clergy  and  the  laity ;  which  representation  shall  consist  of 
one  or  more  deputies,  not  exceeding  four  of  each  order,  chosen  by  the 
Convention  of  the  state ;  and,  in  all  questions,  when  required  by  the 
Clerical  and  Lay  Representation  from  any  state,  each  order  shall  have 
one  vote ;  and  the  majority  of  suffrages  by  states  shall  be  conclusive  in 
each  order,  provided  such  majority  comprehend  a  majority  of  the  states 
represented  in  that  order :  The  concurrence  of  both  orders  shall  be 
necessary  to  constitute  a  vote  of  the  Convention.  If  the  Convention  of 
any  state  should  neglect  or  decline  to  appoint  clerical  deputies,  or  if  they 
should  neglect  or  decline  to  appoint  lay  deputies  ;  or  if  any  of  those  of 
either  order  appointed  should  neglect  to  attend,  or  be  prevented  by 
isickness  or  any  other  accident,  such  state  shall,  nevertheless,  be  con- 
sidered as  duly  represented  by  such  deputy  or  deputies  as  may  attend, 
whether  lay  or  clerical.  And  if,  through  the  neglect  of  the  Convention 
of  any  of  the  churches  which  shall  have  adopted,  or  may  hereafter  adopt, 
this  constitution,  no  deputies,  either  lay  or  clerical,  should  attend  at  any 
General  Convention,  the  church  in  such  state  shall,  nevertheless,  be 
bound  by  the  acts  of  such  Convention. 

Art.  3.  The  bishops  of  this  church,  when  there  shall  be  three  or  more, 
shall,  whenever  general  conventions  are  held,  form  a  separate  house, 
with  a  right  to  originate  and  propose  acts,  for  the  concurrence  of  the 
house  of  deputies,  composed  of  clergy  and  laity :  and  when  any  propos- 
ed act  shall  have  passed  the  house  of  deputies,  the  same  shall  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  house  of  bishops,  who  shall  have  a  negative  thereupon; 
and  all  acts  of  the  convention  shall  be  authenticated  by  both  houses. 
And,  in  all  cases,  the  house  of  bishops  shall  signify  to  the  convention 
their  approbation  or  disapprobation  (the  latter,  with  their  reasons  in 
writing)  within  three  days  after  the  proposed  act  shall  have  been  report- 
ed to  them  for  concurrence ;  and,  in  failure  thereof,  it  shall  have  the 
operation  of  a  law.  But  until  there  shall  be  three  or  more  bishops,  as 
aforesaid,  any  bishop  attending  a  general  convention  shall  be  a  member 
ex  officio,  and  shall  vote  with  the  clerical  de[)uties  of  the  state  to  which 
he  belongs ;  and  a  bishop  shall  then  preside. 


328 

Art.  4.  The  bishop  or  bishops  in  every  state  shall  be  chosen  agreeably 
to  such  rules  as  shall  be  fixed  by  the  convention  of  that  state  :  and  every 
bishop  of  this  church  shall  confine  the  exercise  of  his  Episcopal  office 
to  his  proper  diocese  or  district ;  unless  requested  to  ordain,  or  confirm, 
or  perform  any  other  act  of  the  Episcopal  office,  by  any  church  desti- 
tute of  a  bishop. 

Art.  5.  A  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  any  of  the  United  States, 
not  now  represented,  may,  at  any  time  hereafter,  be  admitted,  on  acced- 
ing to  this  constitution. 

Art.  6.  In  every  state,  the  mode  of  trying  clergymen  shall  be  insti- 
tuted by  the  convention  of  the  church  therein.  At  every  trial  of  a 
bishop,  there  shall  be  one  or  more  of  the  Episcopal  order  present ;  and 
none  but  a  bishop  shall  pronounce  sentence  of  deposition  or  degradation 
from  the  ministry,  on  any  clergyman,  whether  bishop,  or  presbyter,  or 
deacon. 

Art.  7.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  to  Holy  Orders,  until  he  shall 
have  been  examined  by  the  bishop  and  by  two  presbyters,  and  shall 
have  exhibited  such  testimonials,  and  other  requisites,  as  the  canons  in 
that  case  provided  may  direct:  nor  shall  any  person  be  ordained,  until 
he  shall  have  subscribed  the  following  declaration — "  I  do  believe  the 
holy  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  to  contain  all  things  necessary  to  salvation  :  And  I  do  solemnly  en- 
gage to  conform  to  the  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  these  United  States."  No  person  ordained  by  a  foreign 
bishop  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  as  a  minister  of  this  church,  until 
he  shall  have  complied  with  the  canon  or  canons  in  that  case  provided, 
and  have  also  subscribed  the  aforesaid  declaration. 

Art.  8.  A  book  of  common  prayer,  administration  of  the  sacraments, 
and  other  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church,  articles  of  religion,  and  a 
form  and  manner  of  making,  ordaining  and  consecrating  bishops,  priests 
and  deacons,  when  established,  by  this  or  a  future  general  convention, 
shall  be  used  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  those  states  which 
shall  have  adopted  this  constitution. 

No  alteration  or  addition  shall  be  made  in  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  or  other  offices  in  the  church,  unless  the  same  shall  be  proposed 
in  one  general  convention,  and  by  a  resolve  thereof  made  known  to  the 
convention  of  every  diocese  or  state,  and  adopted  at  the  subsequent 
general  convention. 

Art.  9.  This  constitution  shall  be  unalterable,  unless  in  general  con- 
vention, by  the  church,  in  a  majority  of  the  states  which  may  have  adopted 
the  same ;  and  all  alterations  shall  be  first  proposed  in  one  general  con- 
vention, and  made  known  to  the  several  state  conventions,  before  they 
shall  be  finally  agreed  to,  or  ratified,  in  the  ensuing  general  convention. 

Done  in  the  General  Convention  of  the  I^ishops,  Clergy,  and 
Laity  of  the  Church,  the  second  day  of  October,  1789. 

The  first  article  was  amended  in  general  convention,  1804. 
The  third  article  was  amended  in  general  convention,  1808. 
The  second  paragraph  of  the  eighth  article  was  added  in  general  coa- 
vention,  1811. 


CANONS 

OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

Agreed  on  in  the  several  General  Conventions  of  said  Church,  and  s&t 
forth,  with  Alterations  and  Additions,  in  General  Convention,  1808. 
t 
Canon  I. — Of  the  Orders  of  Ministers  in  this  Church. 

IN  this  church  there  shall  always  be  three  orders  in  tlie  ministry,  \\i, 
bishops,  priests,  and  deacons. 

Canon  II. — Of  the  Election  of  Bishops. 

No  diocese  or  state  shall  proceed  to  the  election  or  appointment  of 
a  bishop,  unless  there  be  at  least  six  officiating  presbyters  residing  there- 
in, and  who,  agreeably  to  the  canons  of  the  church,  may  be  qualified  to 
vote  for  a  bisiiop;  a  majority  of  whom  at  least  shall  concur  in  such 
election.  But  the  conventions  of  two  or  more  dioceses  or  states,  having 
together  nine  or  more  such  presbyters,  may  associate  and  join  in  the 
election  of  a  bishop. 

Canon  III. — Certificates  to  be  produced  on  the  part  of  the  Bishops  elect. 

Every  bishop  elect,  before  his  consecration,  shall  produce  to  the 
bishops  to  whom  he  is  presented  for  that  holy  office,  from  the  conven- 
tion by  whom  he  is  elected  a  bishop,  and  from  the  house  of  clerical  and 
lay  deputies  in  general  convention,  certificates,  respectively,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words,  viz. 

Testimony  from  the  Members  of  the  Convention,  in  the  State  or  Diocese 
from  whence  the  Persoyi  is  recommended  for  Consecration. 

We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  fully  sensible  how  important  it  is 
that  the  sacred  office  of  a  bishop  should  not  be  unworthily  conferred, 
and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to  bear  testimony  on  this  solemn 
occasion,  without  partiality  or  affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty 
God,  testify,  that  A.  B.  is  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to 
evil  report,  either  for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  in  life  ;  and  that 
we  do  not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment,  on  account  of  which 
he  ought  not  to  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office.  We  do  moreover 
jointly  and  severally  declare,  that  we  do  in  our  consciences  believe  him 
to  be  of  such  sufficiency  in  good  learning,  such  soundness  in  the  faith, 
and  of  such  virtuous  and  pure  manners,  and  godly  conversation,  that  he 
is  apt  and  meet  to  exercise  the  office  of  a  bishop,  to  the  honour  of  God, 
and  the  edifying  of  his  church,  and  to  be  an  wholesome  example  to  the 
flock  of  Christ. 

The  above  certificate  shall  be  presented  to  the  house  of  clerical  and 
lay  deputies,  in  general  convention. 

Testitnonyfrom  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies  in  General 
Convention. 

We,  whose  names  are  undenvritten,  fully  sensible  how  important 
13  that  the  sacred  office  of  a  Bishop  should  not  be  unworthily  conferred, 
and  firmly  persuaded  that  it  is  our  duty  to  bear  testimony  on  this  solemn 
occasion,  without  partiality  or  affection,  do,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty 

U  u 


330 

God,  testify,  that  ^.B  is  not,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  justly  liable  to 
evil  report,  either  for  error  in  religion,  or  for  viciousness  of  life;  and 
that  we  do  not  know  or  believe  there  is  any  impediment,  on  account  of 
which  he  ought  not  ^o  be  consecrated  to  that  holy  office ;  but  that  he 
hath,  as  we  believe,  led  his  life,  for  three  years  last  past,  piously,  sober- 
ly, and  honestly. 

Canon  IV. — Of  Standing  Committees. 

In  every  state  or  diocese  (here  shall  be  a  standing  committee,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  convention  thereof. 

Canon  V. — Of  the  Consecration  of  Bishops  in  the  Recess  of  the 
General  Convention. 

If,  during  the  recess  of  the  general  convention,  the  church  in  any 
state  or  diocese  should  be  desirous  of  the  consecration  of  a  Bishop,  the 
standing  committee  of  the  church  in  such  state  or  diocese  may,  by  their 
president,  or  by  some  person  or  persons,  specially  appointed,  commu- 
nicate the  desire  to  the  standing  committees  of  the  churches  in  the  dif- 
ferent states,  together  with  copies  of  the  necessary  testimonials  ;  and 
•if  the  major  number  of  the  standing  committees  shall  consent  to  the 
proposed  consecration,  the  standing  committees  of  the  slate  or  diocese 
concerned,  may  communicate  the  evidences  of  such  consent,  together 
with  the  other  testimonials,  to  any  three  Bishops  of  this  church,  who  may 
thereon  proceed  to  the  consecration.  The  evidences  of  tiie  consent  of 
the  different  standing  committees,  shall  be  in  the  form  prescribed  for 
the  house  of  clerical  and  lay  deputies  in  general  convention ;  and  with- 
out the  aforesaid  requisites,  no  consecration  shall  take  place  during  the 
recess  of  the  general  convention. 

Canon  VI. — Of  the  Age  of  those  who  are  to  he  ordained  or  consecrated. 

Deacon's  orders  shall  not  be  conferred  on  any  person  until  he  shall 
be  twenty-one  years  old,  nor  priest's  orders  on  any  one  until  he  shall 
be  twenty-four  years  old.  And  no  deacon  shall  be  ordained  priest,  un- 
less he  shall  have  been  a  deacon  one  year,  except,  for  reasonable  causes, 
it  shall  otherwise  seem  good  unto  the  Bishop.  No  man  shall  be  conse- 
crated a  Bishop  of  this  church,  until  he  shall  be  thirty  years  old. 

Canon  VII. — Of  Candidates  for  Orders. 

Every  person,  who  wishes  to  become  a  candidate  for  orders  in  this 
church,  shall  give  notice  of  his  intention  to  the  Bishop,  or  to  such  body 
as  the  church  in  the  diocese  or  state  in  vvliich  he  intends  to  apply  for 
orders  may  appoint,  at  least  one  year  before  his  ordination. 

No  person  shall  be  considered  as  a  candidate  for  orders  in  this  church, 
unless  he  shall  have  produced  to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese  or  state,  to 
whom  he  intends  to  apply  for  or<lers,  a  certificate  from  the  standing 
committee  of  said  diocese  or  state,  that  they  believe,  from  personal 
knowledge,  or  from  testimonials  laid  before  them,  that  he  hath  lived 
piously,  soberly  and  honestly;  that  he  is  attached  to  the  doctrines,  disci- 
pline and  worship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  ;  and  further,  that 
in  their  opinion  he  possesses  such  qualifications,  as  may  render  him  apt 
and  meet  to  exercise  the  ministry  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  edifying 
of  the  church. 

With  this  enumeration  of  qualifications,  it  ought  to  be  made  known 


331 

to  the  candidate,  that  the  church  expects  of  him,  what  can  never  be 
brought  to  the  test  of  any  outward  standard — an  inward  fear  and  wor- 
ship of  Ahnighty  God;  a  love  of  religion  and  sensibility  to  its  holy  influ- 
ence; an  habit  of  devout  affection;  and,  in  short,  a  cultivation  of  all 
those  graces,  which  are  called  in  scripture  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  and 
by  which  alone  his  sacred  influences  can  be  manifested. 

The  Bishop  may  then  admit  the  person  as  a  candidate  for  orders. 

In  any  state  or  diocese  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  the  standing  com- 
mittee may,  on  the  evidence  aforesaid,  admit  the  person  as  candidate; 
unless  the  person  should  be  desirous  of  being  considered  as  a  candidate 
for  orders  in  some  state  or  diocese,  where  there  is  a  Bishop. 

A  candidate  for  orders  may,  on  letters  dimissory  ftom  the  Bishop 
by  whom  he  was  admitted  as  a  candidate,  be  ordained  by  any  other 
bishop  of  this  church. 

Canon  VIII. — Of  the  conduct  j (.quired  in  Candidates  for  Orders. 

The  Bishop  or  other  ecclesiastical  authority  who  may  have  the  super- 
intendence of  candidates  for  orders,  sliall  take  care  that  they  do  not 
indulge  in  any  vain  or  trifling  coniluct,  or  in  any  amusements  most  liable 
to  be  abused  to  licentiousness,  or  unfavourable  to  that  seriousness,  and 
to  those  pious  and  studious  habits,  which  become  those  who  are  prepar- 
ing for  the  holy  ministry. 

Canon  IX. — Of  the  Learning  of  those,  rcho  are  to  be  ordained. 
No  person  shall  be  ordained  in  this  church,  until  he  shall  have  satis- 
fied the  Bishop  and  the  presbyters  by  whom  he  shall  be  examined,  that 
be  is  well  acquainted  with  the  holy  scriptures,  can  read  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  the  original  Greek,  and  give  an  account  of  his  faith  in  the  Latin 
tongue;  and  that  he  hath  a  competent  knowledge  of  natural  and  moral 
philosophy  and  church  history,  a»id  hath  paid  attention  to  composition 
and  pulpit  eloquence,  as  means  of  giving  additional  efficacy  to  his  la- 
bours. It  is  also  declared  to  be  desirable,  that  every  candidate  for  orders 
should  be  acquainted  with  the  Hebrew  language.  But  the  Bishop,  witb 
the  advice  and  consent  of  all  the  clerical  members  of  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  his  diocese,  may  dispense  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Latiu 
and  Greek  languages,  and  otiier  branches  of  learning  not  strictly  eccle- 
siastical, in  consideration  of  certain  other  qnaliticatioiis  in  the  candidate 
peculiarly  fitting  him  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

Canon  X. — Of  the  preparatory  Exercises  of  a  Candidate  for  Beacon* s 

Orders. 

There  shall  be  assigned  to  every  candidate  for  deacon's  orders,  four 
different  examinations,  at  such  time  and  places  as  the  Bishop  to  whonx^ 
he  applies  for  orders. shall  appoint.  And  if  there  be  a  Bishop  within 
the  state  or  diocese  where  the  candidate  resides,  he  shall  apply  to  no 
other  Bishop  for  ordination  without  the  permission  of  the  former.  The 
examinations  shall  take  place  in  the  presence  of  the  Bi.shop  and  as 
many  presbyters  as  can  conveniently  be  convened,  on  the  following 
studies  prescribed  by  the  Canons,  and  by  the  course  of  study  established 
by  the  house  of  bishops. 

■  At  the  first  examination — on  some  approved  treatises  on  uahn-al  phi- 
losophy, moral  philosophy,  and  rhetoric,  and  the  Greek  Testament;  and 
he  shall  be  required  to  give  an  account  of  his  faith  in  the  Latin  tongu,e. 


332 

At  the  second  examinatioa — on  the  books  of  scripture ;  the  candidate 
being  required  to  give  an  account  of  the  different  books,  and  to  explain 
such  passages  as  may  be  proposed  to  him.  At  the  third  examination — 
on  the  evidences  of  Christianity,  and  Systematic  Divinity.  And  at  the 
last  examination — on  Church  History,  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  and  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  church,  and 
of  the  diocese  or  state  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained.  In  the  choice  of 
books  on  the  above  subjects,  the  candidate  is  to  be  guided  by  the  course 
of  study  established  by  the  house  of  bishops.  At  each  of  the  foremen- 
tioned  examinations,  he  shall  produce  and  read  a  sermon  or  discourse, 
composed  by  himself  on  some  passage  of  scripture  previously  assigned 
him;  which  sermon  or  discourse,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  criticism  of 
the  Bishop  and  clergy  present.  And  before  his  ordination  he  shall  be 
required  to  perform  such  exercises  in  reading  in  the  presence  of  the  Bi- 
shop and  clergy,  as  may  enable  them  to  give  him  such  advice  and  in- 
structions, as  may  aid  him  in  performing  the  service  of  the  church,  and 
in  delivering  his  sermons  with  propriety  and  devotion. 

If  the  candidate  should  not  reside  convenient  to  the  residence  of  the 
Bishop,  the  Bishop  may  appoint  some  of  his  Presbyters  to  conduct  the 
above  examinations ;  and  a  certificate  from  these  Presbyters,  that  the 
prescribed  examinations  have  been  held  accordingly  and  satisfaction  giv- 
en, shall  be  required  of  the  candidate.  Provided  that,  in  this  case,  the 
candidate  shall,  before  his  ordination,  be  examined  by  the  Bishop  and 
some  of  his  Presbyters  on  all  the  above  named  studies. 

in  a  diocese  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  the  standing  committee  shal! 
act  in  his  place  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  this  canon ;  and  in 
this  case,  the  candidate  shall  be  examined  by  the  Bishop  to  whom  he  ap- 
plies for  orders  and  his  Presbyters,  on  the  studies  prescribed  by  the  ca- 
nons. . 

A  Clergyman  who  presents  a  person  to  the  Bishop  for  orders,  as  spe- 
cified in  the  office  of  ordination,  without  having  good  grounds  to  believe 
that  the  requisitions  of  the  canons  have  been  complied  witbj  shall  be  lia- 
ble to  ecclesiastical  censure. 

Canon  XI.  Of  Uie  preparatory  Exercises  of  a  Candidate  for  Priest's 

Orders. 

A  candidate  for  Priest's  orders  shall,  before  his  ordination,  be  requir- 
ed to  undergo  an  examination  in  presence  of  the  Bishop,  and  as  many 
Presbyters  as  can  conveniently  be  convened,  on  those  leading  books  in 
the  course  of  study  prescribed  by  the  House  of  Bishops,  which  he  may 
bave  omitted  in  his  preparation  for  Deacon's  orders. 

Canon  XII.  Of  (he  Teslimonials  to  be  produced  on  the  part  oj  those  who 

are  to  be  ordained. 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  Deacon  or  P;-iest  in  this  church,  unless 
he  exhibit  to  the  Bishop  the  following  testimonial  from  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  the  diocese  or  state,  overwhich  the  Bishop  presides  to  whom  he 
applies  for  holy  orders  ;  which  recommendation  shall  be  signed  by  the 
names  of  a  majority  of  the  committee  duly  convened,  and  shall  be  in 
the  following  words : 

"  We,  whose  names  are  hereunder  written,  testify,  that  3.  B.  hath  laid 
before  tls  satisfactory  testimonials,  that  for  the  space  of  three  years  last 
past  be  hath  lived  piously,  soberly,  and  honestly ;  and  hath  not  written. 


taught,  or  held  any  thing  contrary  to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcoi)al  Church  :  and,  moreover,  we  think  hiin  a  person  wor- 
thy to  be  admitted  to  the  sacred  order  of .     In  witness  whereof,  we 

have  hereunio  set  our  hand?  this day  of ,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord ." 

But  before  a  standing  committee  shall  proceed  to  recommend  any  I 
candidate  as  aforesaid  to  the  Bibhop,  such  candidate  shall  produce  from 
the  minister  and  vestry  of  the  parish  wlicc  he  resides,  or  from  the  ves- 
try aloue,  if  the  parish  be  vacant ;  or,  if  there  be  no  vestry,  from  at  least 
twelve  res[)ectab!e  persons  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church;  te^timo- 
ni;'is  ofhib  piety,  good  morals,  and  orderly  conduct  for  three  years  last 
p'  -'.  fjid  (hat  he  has  not,  so  far  as  they  know  and  believe,  written,  taught 
o-  I.^  I  any  thing  contrary  to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant 
Ep:C'.'jp.tl  Cnurch.  He  shall »lso  lay  before  the  standing  committee  tes- 
timonials to  the  same  effect/  signed  by  al  least  r»ne  respectable  clergy- 
man of  the  Frofestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  from  his 
personal  knowledge  of  th.e  candidate  for  at  least  one  year. 

B  1'  iu  case  a  candidate,  from  some  pecuhar  circumstances  not  affect- 
iiJi,  his  pious  or  moral  character,  should  be  unable  to  procure  testimoni- 
als fiom  ths  minister  and  vestry  of  the  parish  where  he  resides,  the  said 
fact  beinsc  ascertained  by  the  certificate  of  said  minister  and  vestry,  the 
standing  committee  may  accept  testimonials  of  the  purport  above  stated, 
from  at  least  twelve  respectable  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  and  from  at  leq,st  one  respectable  clergyman  of  the  said  church, 
who  has  been  personally  acquainted  with  the  candidate  for  at  least  one 
year. 

Every  candidate  for  holy  orders,  who  may  be  recommended  by  a 
standing  committee  of  any  church  destitute  of  a  Bishop,  if  he  have  re- 
sided for  the  greater  part  of  the  three  years  last  past  within  the  diocese 
of  any  Bibhop,  shall  apply  to  such  Bishop  for  ordination.  And  such  can- 
didate shall  produce  the  usual  testimonials,  as  well  from  tlie  committee 
of  the  diocese  in  which  he  has  resided,  as  from  the  commiitee  of  the 
church  in  the  state  or  diocese  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained. 

In  the  case  of  a  candidate  for  Priest's  orders,  his  letters  of  orders  an 
Deacon,  shall  be  received  by  the  standing  committee  as  evidence  of  his 
pious,  moral,  and  orderly  conduct  for  three  years  |)rior  to  his  receiving 
Deacon's  orders;  unlfess  some  circumstance  should  have  occurred  that 
tends  to  invalidate  the  force  of  this  evidence. 

"     Canon  XIII.  Oftlie  Titles  of  those  rvho  are  to  he  ordained. 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  Priest,  unless  he  shall  jjroduce  a  satisfac- 
tory certificate  from  some  church,  parish  or  congregation,  that  he  is  en- 
gaged with  them,  and  that  they  will  receive  him  as  their  minister,  and 
allow  him  a  reasonable  sufjport ;  or,  unless  he  be  engaged  as  a  professor, 
tutor,  or  instructor  of  youth,  in  some  college,  academy,  or  general  serai- 
nary  of  learning,  duly  incorporated  ;  or  unless  the  standing  committee  of 
the  church,  in  the  state  for  which  he  is  to  be  ordained,  shall  certify  to  the 
Bishop  their  full  belief  and  expectation,  that  he  will  be  received  and  set- 
tled as  a  pastor  by  some  one  of  the  vacant  churches  in  that  state. 

Every  Deacon  shall  be  subject  to  the  regulation  of  the  Bishop  or  ec- 
clesiastical authority  of  the  diocese  for  which  he  is  ordained,  unless  he 
receive  letters  dimissory  therefrom  to  the  Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  au- 
thority of  some  other  diocese ;  and  he  shall  officiate  in  such  places,  as  ti:e 
Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  authorify  to  which  he  is  subject  may  dirocf. 


Canon  XIV.  Ofcandidtfies  coming  from  places  within  the  UniledState.s, 
in  which  the  constihUion  of  this  church  has  not  been  accecledto. 

It  is  hereby  declared,  that  the  canons  of  this  church  which  respect  can- 
didates for  holy  orders,  shall  affect  as  well  those  coming  from  places  in 
the  United  States  in  which  the  constitution  of  this  church  has  not  been 
acceded  to,  as  those  residing  in  states  or  districts  in  which  it  has  been 
adopted ;  and  in  such  cases,  every  candidate  shall  produce  to  the  Bishop 
to  whom  he  may  apply  for  holy  orders,  the  requisite  testimonials,  sub- 
scribed by  the  staading  committee  of  the  diocese. 

Canon  XV.  Of  the  times  of  ordination. 

Agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church,  the  stated  times  of 
ordination  shall  be  on  the  Sundaj^s  following  the  Ember  weeks,  viz  : — 
The  second  Sunday  in  Lent,  the  Feast  of  Trinity,  and  the  Sundays  after 
the  Wednesdays  foliowiog  the  14th  day  of  September  and  the  ISlh  of 
December.  Occasional  ordinations  may  be  held  at  such  other  times  as 
the  Bishop  shall  appoint. 

Canon  XVI.  Of  candidates  mho  may  he  refused  orders. 

No  Bishop  shall  ordain  any  candidate,  until  he  has  required  of  him, 
whether  he  has  ever  <Urecily  or  indirectly  applied  folr  orders  in  any  other 
diocese  or  state  ;  and  if  the  Bishop  has  reason  to  believe  that  the  candi- 
date has  been  refused  orders  in  any  other  diocese  or  state,  he  shall  write 
to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing 
committee,  to  know  whether  any  just  cause  exists  why  the  candidat^i 
should  not  be  ordained.  When  any  Bishop  rejects  the  application  of  any 
candidate  for  orders,  he  shall  immediately  give  notice  to  the  Bishop  of 
ei^ery  state  or  diocese,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  to  the  standing  com- 
mittee. 

Canon  XVII.  Of  those  ivho  Itave  officiated  as  Ministers  among  other  de- 
C        nominations  of  christians,  and  apply  fir  orders  in  this  church. 

When  any  person  who  has  officiated  as  a  minister  among  any  other  de- 
nomination of  christians,  shall  apply  for  orders  in  this  church, the  Bishop 
to  w  horn  application  is  made,  being  satisfied,  on  examination  according 
to  the  canons,  that  he  is  a  man  of  piety  and  unexceptionable  character, 
that  he  holds  the  doctrines  of  the  church,  and  that  he  possesses  all  the 
literary  and  other  qualifications  required,  and  being  furnished  with  testi- 
monials from  the  standing  committee  dulj;-  convened,  may  ordain  him  as 
»oon  as  is  convenient.  In  all  such  cases,  the  standing  commitice  may  in- 
sert in  their  testimonials  the  words,  "  we  believe  him  to  be  sincerely  at- 
tached to  the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church," 
instead  of  the  words,  "  and  hath  not  written,  taught,  or  held  any  thing 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  or  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church." 

Canon  XVIII.  Of  Clergymen  ordair\cd  for  foreign  parts. 

No  Bishop  of  this  church  shall  ordain  any  person  to  officiate  in  any.con- 
^^regation  or  church  destitute  of  aBishop,  situated  witJiout  the  jurisdiction 
of  these  United  States,  until  the  usual  testimony  from  the  standing  com- 
mittee, founded  upon  sufficient  evidence  of  his  sounthiess  in  the  faith,  and 
of  his  pious  and  moral  character,  has  been  obtained;  nor  until  the  candi- 
date has  been  examined  on  the  studies  prescribed  by  the  canons  of  (his 
church.     And  should  any  such  clergyman  so  ordained  wish  to  settle  in 


any  congregation  of  this  church,  he  must  obtain  a  special  liceuise  therefor 
from  the  Bishop,  and  officiate  as  a  probationer  for  at  least  one  year. 

Canon  XIX.  Respccliriii;  Candidates  for  orders  rvho  arc  Lay  Renders. 

No  candidate  for  holy  orders  shall  take  upon  himself  to  perform  the  ser- 
vice of  the  church,  but  by  the  license  of  the  Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  au- 
thority of  the  diocese  or  state  in  which  such  candidate  may  wiah  to  per- 
form the  service.  And  such  candidate  shall  submit  to  all  (he  regulations 
which  the  Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  authority  may  prescribe;  he  shall  not 
use  the  absolution  nor  benediction  ;  he  shall  not  assume  the  dress  nor  the 
stations  which  are  appro|M-iate  to  clergymen  ministering  in  the  congrega- 
tion, and  shall  officiate  from  the  desk  only;  he  shall  conform  to  the  direc- 
tions of  the  Bishop  or  ecclesiastical  authority,  as  to  the  sermons  or  homi- 
lies to  be  read ;  nor  shall  any  lay  reader  deliver  sermons  of  his  own  com- 
position, nor,  except  in  cases  of  extraordinary  emergency,  or  very  pe- 
culiar expediency,  perform  any  part  of  the  service,  when  a  clergyman  is 
present  in  the  congregation. 

A  non-conformity  to  this  canon,  shall  be  deemed  in  all  cases  a  disqua- 
lification for  holy  orders. 

Canon  XX.  Of  Episcopal  Visitation. 

Every  Bishop  in  this  church  shall  visit  the  churches  within  his  diocese 
or  district,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  state  of  his  church,  inspect- 
ing the  behaviour  of  the  clergy,  and  administering  the  apostolic  rite  of 
confirmation.  And  it  is  deemed  proper,  that  such  visitations  be  made 
once  in  three  years  at  least,  by  every  Bishop,  to  every  church  within 
his  diocese  or  district,  which  shall  make  provision  for  defraying  the  ne- 
cessary expenses  of  (he  Bishop  at  such  visitation.  And  it  is  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  the  duty  of  the  minister  and  vestry  of  every  church  or  con- 
gregation, to  make  such  provision  accordingly. 

The  Bishop  of  any  diocese,  state  or  district,  may^  on  the  invitation  of 
the  convention,  or  standing  committee  of  the  church  in  any  state  on  dio- 
cese where  there  is  not  a  Bishop,  visit  and  perform  the  episcopal  offices 
in  that  state,  or  part  of  the  state,  as  the  case  may  be;  provision  being 
made  for  defraying  his  expenses  as  aforesaid :  and  such  state,  or  part  of 
a  state,  shall  be  considered  as  annexed  to  the  district  or  diocese  of  such 
Bishop,  until  a  Bishop  is  duly  elected  and  consecrated  for  such  state  or 
diocese,  or  until  the  invitation  given  by  the  convention  or  standing  coiji- 
mittee  be  revoked. 

But  it  is  to  be  understood,  that  to  enable  the  Bishop  to  make  the 
aforesaid  visitations,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clergy,  in  such  reasona- 
ble rotation  as  may  be  devised,  to  officiate  for  him  in  any  parochial  du- 
ties which  belong  to  him. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  theBishop  to  keep  a  register  of  his  proceedings. 
.  at  every  visitation  of  his  diocese. 

Canon  XXI.  Of  the  duty  of  Ministers,  in  regard  to  Episcopal  Visitation, 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  ministers,  to  prepare  children  and  others  for 
the  holy  ordinance  of  confirmation!  And  on  notice  being  received  from 
the  bishop,  of  his  intention  to  visit  any  church,  which  notice  shall  be 
at  least  one  month  before  the  intended  visitation,  the  minister  shall  be 
ready  to  present,  for  confirmation,  those  who  shall  have  been  previously 
instructed  for  the  same ;  and  shall  deliver  to  the  bishop  a  list  of  the 
names  of  those  presented. 


O  '''  c 

And  at  every  visitation  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  minister,  and  of  the 
church  wardens  or  vestry,  to  give  information  to  the  bishop  of  the  state 
of  the  congregations,  under  such  heads  as  shall  have  been  committed  to 
them  in  the  notice  given  as  aforesaid. 

And  further,  the  ministers  and  church  wardens  of  such  congregations 
as  cannot  be  conveniently  visited  in  any  year,  shall  bring,  or  send  to 
the  bishop,  at  the  stated  meeting  of  the  convention  of  the  diocese  or  dis- 
trict, information  of  the  state  of  the  congregation,  under  such  heads  as 
shall  have  been  committed  to  them,  at  least  one  month  before  the 
meeting  of  the  convention. 

Canon  XXII.  Of  Parochial  Inslrudion. 

The  ministers  of  this  church  who  have  charge  of  parishes  or  cure?, 
shall  not  only  be  diligent  in  instructing  the  children  in  the  catechism, 
but  shall  also,  by  stated  chatechetical  lectures  and  instruction,  be  diligent 
in  informing  the  youth  and  others  in  the  doctrines,  constitution,  and 
liturgy  of  the  church. 

Canon  XXIII.  Of  Episcopal  Charges  and  Pastoral  Letters. 

It  is  deemed  proper,  that  every  bishop  of  this  church  shall  deliver,  at 
least  once  in  three  years,  a  charge  to  the  clergy  of  his  diocese,  unless 
prevented  by  reasonable  cause.  And  it  is  also  deemed  proper,  that 
from  time  to  time  he  shall  address  to  the  pepple  of  his  diocese,  pastoral 
letters  on  some  points  of  christian  doctrine,  worship,  or  manners. 

Canon  XXIV.  Of  a  Council  of  Advice. 

In  every  diocese  or  state  where  there  is  a  bishop,  the  standing  com- 
mittee shall  be  a  council  of  advice  to  the  bishop.  The  president  of  the 
standing  committee,  shall  be  the  person  to  summon  them.  They  shall 
be  summoned  on  the  requisition  of  the  Bishop,  whenever  he  shall  wish 
for  their  advice.  And  they  may  meet  of  their  own  accord,  andT^reea- 
bly  to  their  own  rules,  when  they  may  be  disposed  to  advise  the  Bishop. 

Canon  XXV.  Notorious  Crimes  and  Scandals  to  be  censured. 

If  any  persons  within  this  Church  offend  their  brethren  by  any  wick- 
edness of  life,  such  persons  shall  be  repelled  from  the  holy  communion, 
agreeably  to  the  rubrick,  and  may  be  further  proceeded  against,  to  the 
depriving  them  of  all  privilegps  of  Church  membership,  according  to 
such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  provided,  either  by  the  general  con- 
vention, or  by  the  convention  in  the  different  states  or  dioceses. 

Canon  XXVI.  Sober  Conversation  required  in  Ministers. 

No  ecclesiastical  persons  shall,  other  than  for  their  honest  necessities, 
resort  to  taverns,  or  other  places  most  liable  to  be  abused  to  licentious- . 
ness.  Further,  they  shall  not  give  themselves  to  any  base  or  servile 
labour,  or  to  drinking  or  riot,  or  to  the  spending  of  their  time  idly.  And 
if  any  offend  in  the  above,  or  if  any  person  having  been  ordained  in  this 
church,  or  having  been  otherwise  regularly  ordained  and  admitted  a 
minister  in  this  church,  shall  discontinue  all  exercise  of  the  ministerial 
office  without  lawful  cause,  or  shall  live  in  the  habitual  disuse  of  the 
public  worship,  or  of  the  holy  eucharist,  according  to  the  offices  of  this 
church ;  such  person,  on  due  proof  of  the  same,  or  on  his  own  confes- 
sion, shall  be  liable  to  the  ecclesiastical  censure  of  admonition^  or  sns 


"337 

pension,  or  degradation,  as  the  nature  of  (he  case  may  require,  and 
accordirg  to  such  rules  or  process  as  may  be  provided  by  the  conven- 
tioos  in  the  different  states  or  dioceses. 

Canon  XXVII.  Of  piiblishi)ig  the  Sentence  of  Degradation  against  a 

Cler^man. 

Whenever  a  clergyman  shall  be  degraded,  agreeably  to  the  canons  of 
any  particular  church  in  the  union,  tiie  bishop  who  pronounces  sentence 
shall,  without  delay,  cause  the  sentence  of  degradation  to  be  published 
from  every  pulpit  where  there  may  be  an  officiating  minister,  throughout 
the  diocese  or  district  in  which  the  degraded  minister  resided ;  and  also 
shall  give  information  of  the  sentence  to  all  bishops  of  this  church;  and, 
where  there  is  no  bishop,  to  the  standing  committee. 

Canon  XXVIII.  Of  a  Clergyman   in  any   Diocese  chargeable   itilk 
Misdemeanor  in  any  other. 

If  a  clergyman  of  the  church,  in  any  diocese  or  district  within  this 
union,  shall,  in  any  other  diocese  or  district,  conduct  himself  in  such  a 
way  as  is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  this  church,  and  disgraceful  to  his 
office,  the  bishop,  or  if  there  be  no  bishop,  the  standing  committee,  shall 
give  notice  thereof  to  tlie  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  dis- 
trict to  which  such  offender  belongs,  exhibiting,  with  the  information 
given,  the  proof  of  the  charges  made  against  him. 

Canon  XXIX.  Concerning  the  election  and  inslilution  of  ministers  into 
FarisJies  or  Churches. 

It  is  hereby  required,  that  oh  the  election  of  a  miiH^ter  into  any  church 
or  parish,  the  vestry  shall  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  delivered,  to  the  bishop, 
or,  where  there  is  no  bishop,  to  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese, 
notice  of  the  same,  in  the  following  form,  or  to  this  effect: 

We,  the  church  wardens,  (or,  in  case  of  an  associatfd  rector  or  an 
assistant  minister,  We,  the  rector  and  church  wardens)  do  certify  to  the 
Right  Rev.  (naming  thebisliop)  or  lo  f'-j  Tev.  (ftaming  the  president 
of  the  standing  committee,)  that  (naming  Uu.  person)  has  been  duly 
chosen  rector  (or  associated  rector,  or  assibt.uit  minister,  as  the  case 
may  be,)  oi (naming  the  parish,  or  church,  or  iJiurch.::.  ' 

Which  certificate  shall  be  signed  with  the  names  ^i  Jiose  who  certify. 

And  if  the  bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  satisfied  tliat  the  per- 
son so  chosen  is  a  qualified  minister  of  this  church,  the  bishop,  or  the 
president  of  the  standing  committee,  shall  transmit  the  said  certificate 
to  the  secretary  of  the  convention,  who  shall  record  it  in  a  book  to  be 
kept  by  him  for  that  purpose.  And  if  the  minister  elect  be  a  presbyter, 
the  bishop,  or  president  of  the  standing  committee,  may,  at  the  instance 
of  the  vestry,  proceed  to  have  him  instituted  according  to  the  office 
established  by  this  church.  But  if  he  be  a  deacon,  the  act  of  institution 
shall  not  take  place  till  after  he  shall  have  received  priest's  orders,  when 
the  bishop  or  president  may  have  it  performed. 

But  if  the  bishop  or  the  standing  committee  be  not  satisfied  as  above, 
he  or  they  shall,  at  the  instance  of  the  parties,  proceed  to  inquire  into 
the  sufficiency  of  the  person  so  chosen,  according  to  such  rules  as  may 
be  made  in  the  respective  dioceses,  and  shall  confirm  or  reject  the 
appointment,  as  the  issue  of  that  inquiry  may  be. 

No  minister  who  mav  be  hereafter  elected  into  any  parish  or  church, 

X  X 


338 

shall  be  considered  as  a  regularly  admitted  and  settled  parochial  minister 
in  any  diocese  or  state,  or  shall,  as  such,  have  any  vote  in  the  choice  of 
a  bishop,  until  he  shall  have  been  instituted  according  to  the  office  pre- 
scribed by  this  church. 

This  canon  shall  not  be  obligatory ^on  the  church  in  those  dioceses  or 
states,  with  whose  usages,  laws,  or  cljarters  it  interferes.  Nor  shall  any 
thing  in  this  canon,  or  in  any  other  canon,  or  in  any  service  of  the 
church  relative  to  the  office  of  associated  rectors,  apply  to  the  church 
in  those  states  or  dioceses  where  this  office  is  not  recognized  by  the 
constitution,  laws,  or  canons  thereof.* 

But  it  is  to  be  understood,  that  this  church  designs  not  to  express 
any  approbation  of  any  laws  or  usages,  which  make  the  station  of  a 
minister  dependant  on  any  thing  else  than  his  own  soundness  in  the 
faith,  or  worthy  conduct.  On  the  contrary,  the  church  trusts  that  every 
regulation  in  contrariety  to  this,  will  be  in  due  lime  reconsidered ;  and 
that  there  will  be  removed  all  hindrances  to  such  reasonable  discipline 
as  appears  to  have  belonged  to  the  churches  of  the  most  acknowledged 
orthodoxy  and  respectability .f 

Canon  XXX.  Respecting  the  Dissolution  of  all  Pastoral  Connection  be- 
tween Ministers  and  their  Congregations, 

When  any  minister  has  been  regularly  instituted  or  settled  in  a  pa- 
rish or  church,  he  shall  not  be  dismissed  without  the  concurrence  of  the 
ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  state ;  and  in  case  of  his  dis- 
mission without  such  concurrence,  the  vestry  or  congregation  of  such 
parish  or  church  shall  have  no  right  to  a  representation  in  the  convention 
of  the  state  or  diocese,  until  they  have  made  such  satisfaction  as  the 
convention  may  require.  Nor  shall  any  minister  leave  his  congregation 
against  their  will,  without  the  concurrence  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority 
aforesaid  ;  and  if  he  shall  leave  them  without  such  concurrence,  he  shall 
not  be  allowed  to  take  a  seat  in  any  convention  of  this  church,  or  be 
eligible  into  any  church  or  parish  within  the  states  which  have  acceded 
to  the  constitution  of  this  church,  until  he  shall  have  made  such  satis- 
faction as  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  state  may  re- 
quire. 

In  the  case  of  the  regular  and  canonical  dissolution  of  the  connection 
between  a  minister  and  his  congregation,  the  Bishop,  or,  if  there  be  no 
Bishop,  the  standing  committee,  shall  direct  the  secretary  of  the  con- 
vention to  record  the  same.  But  if  the  dissolution  of  the  connection 
between  any  minister  and  his  congregation  be  not  regular  or  canonical, 
the  Bishop  or  standing  committee,  shall  lay  the  same  before  the  Con- 
vention of  the  diocese  or  state,  in  order  that  the  above  mentioned  pe- 
nalties may  take  effect. 

This  canon  shall  not  be  obligatory  upon  those  states  or  dioceses,  with 
whose  usages,  laws,  or  charters  it  interferes. 

Qlj"  To  this  exception  there  applies  the  remark  in  the  concluding  paragraph  of 
canon  29. 

^  *  As  the  following  resolution  of  the  general  convention  of  1808  relates  to  asso- 
cia.ted  rectorships,  it  is  here  inserted. 

"Whereas  associated  rectorships  are  inconsistent  with  the  usages  of  the  Protes- 
tant  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  many  respects  inconvenient.  Resolved,  unanimously, 
That  it  be  recommended  to  tlie  different  state  conventions  of  this  church  not  to 
authorize  in  future  associated  rectorships,  and  that  when  tlie  existing  associated 
rectorslilps  sliall  expire,  not  to  renew  the  same." 

t  See  the  2d  canon  of  1814. 


Canon  XXXI.  Concerning  Ministers  removing  from  one  Diocese  m 
state  to  another. 

No  minister  removing  from  one  diocese  to  another,  or  coming  from 
any  statu  or  district  which  may  not  have  acceded  to  tiie  constitution  of 
this  church,  shall  be  received  as  a  minister  by  any  congregation  of  this 
church,  until  he  shall  have  presented  to  the  vestry  thereof,  a  certificate 
from  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  or  state  to  which  he  is 
about  to  remove,  that  he  has  produced  to  them  satisfactory  testimonials, 
that  he  has  not  been  justly  liable  to  evil  report,  for  error  in  religion,  or 
viciousness  of  life  during  the  three  years  last  jjast;  which  testimonials 
shall  be  signed  by  the  Bishop  or  Bishops,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop, 
by  the  majority  of  the  clerical  member-  of  the  standing  committee  or 
committees  of  the  diocese  or  dioceses  wherein  he  has  resided ;  which 
committee  or  committees  shall,  in  all  cases,  be  duly  convened;  or,  in 
case  he  comes  from  a  state  or  district  not  in  connection  with  this  church, 
and  having  no  convention,  by  three  clergymen  of  this  church.  Nor 
sliall  any  minister,  so  removing,  be  received  by  any  vestry,  or  acknow- 
ledged by  any  Bishop  or  convention,  as  a  minister  of  the  church  to 
which  he  removes,  until  he  shall  have  produced  the  aforesaid  testimo- 
nials. 

Every  minister  shall  be  amenable  for  any  offences  committed  by  him 
in  any  diocese,  to  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  in  which  he 
resides. 

Canon  XXXII.    Respecting  Differences  between  Ministers  and  their 

Coyigregatiojis, 

In  cases  of  controversy  between  ministers,  who  now,  or  may  here 
atfer,  hold  the  rectorship  of  churches  or  parishes,  and  the  vestry  or 
congregation  of  such  churches  or  parishes,  which  controversies  are  of 
such  a  nature  as  cannot  be  settled  by  themselves,  the  parties,  or  either  of 
them,  shall  make  application  to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  in  case 
there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  convention  of  the  state.  And  if  it  appear  to 
tlie  Bishop  and  his  presbyters,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  convention 
or  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should 
be  committed  to  them  by  the  convention,  that  the  controversy  has  pro- 
ceeded such  lengths  as  to  pxeclude  all  hope  of  its  favourable  termination, 
and  that  a  dissolution  of  the  connection  which  exists  between  them  is 
indispensably  necessary  to  restore  the  peace,  and  promote  the  prosperity 
of  the  church,  the  Bishop  and  his  presbyters,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop, 
the  convention  or  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the 
authority  should  be  committed  to  them  by  the  convention,  shall  recom- 
mend to  such  ministers  to  relinquish  their  titles  to  their  rectorship  on 
such  conditions  as  may  appear  reasonable  and  proper  to  the  Bishop  and 
his  presbyters,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  convention,  or  the  stand- 
ing committee  of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should  be  com- 
mitted to  them  by  the  convention.  And  if  such  rectors  or  congregations 
refuse  to  comply  with  such  recommendation,  the  Bishop  and  his  pres- 
byters, or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  the  convention  or  the  standing  commit- 
tee of  the  diocese  or  state,  if  the  authority  should  be  committed  to  them 
by  the  convention,  with  fhe  aid  and  consent  of  a  Bishop,  may,  at  their 
discretion,  proceed,  according  to  the  canons  of  the  church,  to  suspend 
the  former  from  the  exercise  of  any  ministerial  duties  within  the  diocese 
or  state  ;  and  prohibit  the  latter  from  a  seat  in  the  convenHon,  until  they 


340 

retract  such  refusal,  and  submit  to  the  terms  of  the  reconmieiidatiou  :  and 
any  minister  so  suspended  shall  not  be  permitted,  during  his  suspension, 
to  exercise  any  ministerial  duties  in  any  ether  diocese  or  state.  This 
canon  shall  app}y  also  to  the  cases  of  associated  rectors  and  assistant  mi- 
nisters and  their  congregations. 

This  canon  shall  not  be  obligatory  upon  the  church  in  those  states  or 
•  dioceses  with  whose  usages,  laws,  or  charters  it  interferes. 

0^  To  tills  exception  there  applies  the  reinaik  in  the  concluding  paragraph  of 
Cftilon  29.. 

Canon  XXXIII.  Of  the  offidallng  of  Minislers  of  this  Church  in  the 
Churches,  ornithin  the  j>arochial  cures  of  other  Clergymen. 

No  clergyman  belonging  to  this  church  shall  officiate,  either  by  preach- 
ing or  reading  prayers,  in  the  parish,  or  wiUiin  the  parochial  cure  of  ano- 
ther clergyman,  unless  he  have  received  express  permission  for  that  pur- 
pose from  the  Minister  of  the  parish  or  cure,  or,  in  his  absence,  from 
the  church- wardens  and  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  congregation.  But 
if  any  minister  of  a  church  shall,  from  inability,  or  any  other  cause, 
neglect  to  perform  the  regular  services  to  his  congregation,  and  shall  re- 
fuse, without  good  cause  his  consent  to  any  other  minister  of  this  church 
to  ofliciate  w  ithin  his  cure,  the  church-wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees 
of  such  congregalion,  shall,  on  proof  of  such  neglect  and  refusal  before 
the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bisliop,  before  the  standing 
committee,  or  before  such  persons  as  may  be  deputed  by  him  or  them, 
or  before  such  persons  as  may  be,  by  the  regulations  of  this  church  in  any 
state,  vested  with  the  power  of  hearing  and  deciding  on  complaints  against 
clergymen,  have  power  to  open  the  doors  of  their  churches  to  any  re- 
gular minister  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  And  in  case  of  such 
a  vicinity  of  two  or  more  churches,  as  that  there  can  be  no  local  boun- 
daries drawn  between  their  respective  cures,  it  is  hereby  ordained,  that 
in  every  such  case,  no  minister  of  this  church,  other  than  the  parochial 
clergy  of  the  said  cures,  shall  preach  within  the  common  limits  of  the 
same,  in  any  other  place  than  in  one  of  the  churches  thereof,  without 
the  consent  of  the  major  number  of  the  parocliial  clergy  of  the  said 
churches. 

Canon  XXXIV.  Of  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prmjer. 
Every  minister  shall,  before  •''' sermons  and  lectures,  and  on  all  other 
occasions  of  public  worship,  -;•  :he  book  of  common  prayer,  as  the 
same  is  or  may  be  established  by  ih?  authority  of  the  general  conven- 
tion of  this  church.  And  in  perforir  ■  r  said  service,  no  other  prayei" 
shall  be  used  than  those  prescribed  by  V.'-:  if*'!''  '>ook. 

Canon  XXXV.  Of  the.  o^cialing  of  Persons  not  Ministers  of  this  Church. 

No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  in  any  congregation  of  this 
church,  without  first  producing  the  evidences  of  his  being  a  minister 
thereof  to  the  minister,  or,  in  case  of  vacancy  or  absence,  to  the  church- 
wardens, vestrymen,  or  trustees  of  the  congregation.  And  in  case  any 
person  not  regularly  ordained,  shall  assume  the  ministerial  office,  and 
perform  any  of  the  duties  thereof  in  this  churCh,  the  minister,  or,  in  case 
of  vacancy  or  absence,  the  church-wardens,  vestrymen,  or  trustees  of 
the  congregation  where  such  offence  may  be  committed,  shall  cause  the 
name  of  such  person,  together  with  the  offence,  to  be  published  in  as 
many  of  the  public  papers  as  may  be  convenient. 


341 

Canon  XXXVI.  Of  Clersfynien  ordained  hji  foreign  Bishops,  and  desi^ 
rous  ofojjicialing  or  settlitig  m  this  church. 

A  clergyman  coming  from  a  foreign  country,  and  professing  to  be  re- 
gularly ordained,  shall,  before  he  be  permitted  to  officiate  in  any  parish 
or  congregation,  exhibit  to  the  minister,  or  if  there  be  no  minister,  to 
the  vestry  thereof,  a  certificate,  signed  by  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or, 
if  there  be  no  Biehop,  by  a  majority  of  the  standing  committee  duly 
convened,  that  his  letters  of  orders  are  authentic,  and  given  by  some 
Bishop  whose  authority  is  acknowledged  by  this  church;  and  also  that 
he  has  exhibited  to  the  Bishop  or  standing  committee  satisfactory  evi- 
dence of  his  |)ious  and  moral  character,  and  of  his  theological  acquire- 
ments. An<l  should  he  be  guilty  of  any  unworthy  conduct,  he  shall  be 
liable  to  presentment  and  trial.  And  in  any  case,  before  he  shall  be  en- 
titled to  setde  in  any  parish  or  church  as  the  minister  thereof,  the  Bi- 
shop, or  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese,  must  obtain  satisfactory 
evidence  of  his  respectable  standing  in  the  church  there ;  and  he  must 
also  have  resided  one  year  in  the  United  States. 

And  if  any  such  foreign  clergyman  shall  remove  from  one  diocese  to 
another,  before  one  year  have  expired,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  by  the 
ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese  to  which  he  goes,  to  officiate  in 
said  diocese,  till  be  shall  have  complied  with  the  requisitions  of  the  ca- 
non concerning  ministers  removing  from  one  diocese  or  state  to  another. 

Canon  XXXVII.  To  prevent  a  Congregation  in  any  Diocese  or  Stale  from 
uniting  with  a  Church  in  any  other  Diocese  or  Stale. 

Whereas  a  question  may  arise,  whether  a  congregation  within  the  di- 
ocese of  any  Bishop,  or  within  any  state  or  diocese  in  which  there  is  not 
yet  any  Bishop  settled,  may  unite  themselves  with  the  church  in  any 
other  diocese  or  state ;  it  is  hereby  determined  and  declared,  that  all  such 
unions  shall  be  considered  as  irregular  and  void; and  that  every  congre- 
gation of  this  church  shall  be  considered  as  belonging  to  (he  body  of  the 
church  of  the  diocese,  or  of  the  state  within  the  limits  of  which  they 
dwell,  or  within  v/hich  there  is  seated  a  church  to  which  they  helon?. 
And  no  clergyman,  having  a  parish  or  cure  in  more  than  one  state  or  di- 
ocese, shall  have  a  seat  in  the  convention  ofany  state  or  diocese,  other 
than  that  in  which  he  resides. 

Canon  XXXVIII.  To  tmpower  the  Bishop  in  etich  Diocese  or  District  to 
compose  forms  of  Prayer  or  Thanksgiving  for  extraordinary  occasions. 
The  Bishop  of  each  diocese  or  distKct  may  comncje  forms  of  prayer 
or  thanksgiving,  as  the  case  may  require,  for  extrav-rdinary  occasions, 
and  transmit  tliem  to  each  clergyman  within  his  diocese  or  district,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  use  such  forms  in  his  church  on  such  occa^^ions.  And 
the  clergy  in  those  states  or  dioceses  in  which  there  is  no  Bishop,  may 
use  the  form  of  prayer  or  thanksgiving  composed  by  the  Biiliop  of  any- 
other  state  or  diocese. 

Canon  XXXIX.  Of  the  due  Celebration  of  Sundays. 

All  persons  within  this  church  shall  celebrate  and  keep  the  Lord's 
day,  commonly  called  Sunday,  in  hearing  the  word  of  God  read  and 
taught,  in  private  and  public  prayer,  in  other  exercises  of  devotion,  and 
ia  acts  of  charity,  using  all  godly  and  sober  conversation. 


542 

Canon  XL.  Ministers  to  keep  a  Register, 

Every  minister  of  this  church  shall  keep  a  register  of  baptisms,  mar- 
riages, and  funerals,  within  his  cure,  agreeably  to  such  rules  as  may  be 
provided  by  the  ecclesiastical  authority  where  his  cure  lies ;  and  if  none 
such  be  provided,  then  in  such  a  manner  9s,  in  his  discretion,  he  shall 
think  best  suited  to  the  uses  of  such  a  register. 

And  the  intention  of  the  register  of  baptisms  is  hereby  declared  to  be, 
as  for  other  good  uses,  so  especially  for  the  proving  of  the  right  of  church 
membership  of  those  who  may  have  been  admitted  into  this  church  by 
tlie  holy  ordinance  of  baptism. 

And  further,  every  minister  of  this  church  shall,  within  a  reasonable 
time  after  the  publication  of  this  canon,  make  out  and  continue  a  list  of 
all  adult  persons  within  his  cure;  to  remain  for  the  use  of  his  successor, 
to  be  continued  by  him,  and  by  every  future  minister  in  the  same  parish. 

And  no  minister  shall  place  on  the  said  Hst  the  names  of  any  persons, 
except  of  those  who,  on  due  enquiry,  he  shall  find  to  have  been  bap- 
tized in  this  church;  or  who,  having  been  otherwise  baptized,  shall  have 
been  received  into  this  church,  either  by  the  holy  rite  of  confirmation,  or 
by  receiving  the  holy  communion,  or  by  some  other  joint  acts  of  the  par- 
ties, and  of  a  minister  of  this  church;  whereby  such  persons  shall  have 
attached  themselves  to  the  same. 

Canon  XLI.  ji  List  to  be  made  and  published^  of  the  Ministers  of  thi^ 

Church. 

The  secretary  of  the  general  convention  shall  keep  a  register  of  all  the 
clergy  of  this  church,  whose  names  shall  be  delivered  to  him  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner;  that  is  to  say : — Every  Bishop  of  this  church,  or,  where 
there  is  no  Bishop,  the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese  or  district, 
shall,  at  the  time  of  every  general  convention,  deliver,  or  cause  to  be  de 
livered,  to  the  secretary,  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  ministers  of  this 
church  iu  their  proper  diocese  or  district,  annexing  the  names  of  their 
respective  cures,  or  of  their  stations  in  any  colleges  or  other  incorporated 
jiemiuaries  of  learning,  or,  in  regard  to  those  who  have  not  any  cures  or 
such  stations,  their  places  of  residence  only.  And  the  said  list  shall, 
from  time  to  time,  be  published  on  the  journals  of  the  general  convention. 

And  further,  it  is  recommended  to  the  several  Bishops  of  this  church, 
and  to  the  several  standing  committees,  that,  during  the  intervals  be- 
tween the  meetings  of  the  general  convention,  they  take  such  means  of 
notifying  the  admission  of  ministers  among  them,  as,  in  their  discretion 
respectively,  they  shall  think  etFectual  to  the  purpose  of  preventing  ig- 
norant and  unwary  people  from  being  imposed  on,  by  persons  pretend- 
ing to  be  authorised  ministers  of  this  church. 

Canon  XLII.  Of  the  mode  of  calling  Special  Meetings  of  the  General 

Conventioii. 

The  right  of  calling  special  meetings  of  the  general  convention  shall 
be  in  the  Bishops.  This  right  shall  be  exercised  by  the  presiding  Bi- 
shop, or,  in  case  of  his  death,  by  the  Bishop  who,  according  to  the  rules 
of  the  house  of  bishops,  is  to  preside  at  the  next  general  convention ;  pro- 
vided, that  the  summons  shall  be  with  the  consent,  or  on  the  requisition 
of  a  majority  of  the  Bishops,  expressed  to  him  in  writing. 

The  place  of  holding  any  special  convention,  shall  be  that  fixed  on  by 
the  preceding  general  convention  for  the  meeting  of  the  next  general 


343 

convention,  unless  circumstances,  to  be  judged  of  by  tlie  Bishops,  shall 
render  a  meeting  at  such  place  unsafe;  in  which  case  the  Bishops  shall 
appoint  some  other  place. 

Canon  XLIII.  Frescribing  the  mode  of  publishing  authorized  Edilions 
of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  SfC. 

The  Bishop  of  this  church,  in  any  state  or  diocese,  or,  where  there  is 
no  Bishop,  the  standing  committee,  are  authorised  to  appoint,  from 
time  to  time,  some  suitable  person  or  persons  to  compare  and  correct 
all  new  editions  of  the  common  prayer  book,  book  of  offices,  &tc,  by 
some  standard  book ;  and  a  certificate  of  their  having  been  so  compared 
and  corrected  shall  be  published  with  said  books.  And  in  case  any  edi- 
tion shall  be  published  without  such  correction,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Bishop,  or  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  of  the  standing  committee,  to 
give  public  notice  that  such  edition  is  not  authorised  by  the  church. 

The  edition  of  the  articles  of  religion  set  forth  by  the  Bishop  of  this 
church  in  Pennsylvania,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  general  conven- 
tion of  1804,  shall  be  the  standard  copy.  The  octavo  edition  of  the  com- 
mon prayer  book,  published  in  New  York  in  1793,  by  Hugh  Gaine,  and 
the  quarto  edition  of  the  book  of  offices,  &.c.  of  the  same  year,  published 
in  the  same  place,  are  hereby  established  as  standard  books,  with  the 
exception  of  errors  evidently  typographical;  the  correction  of  which  er- 
rors is  confided  to  such  person  or  persons  as  the  Bishop  or  standing 
committee  may  appoint  for  superintending  any  publication. 

Canon  XLIV.  Concerning  the  mode  of  transmitting  Notice  of  all  mat- 
ters submitted  by  the  General  Convention  to  the  cmmderation  of  the 
State  or  Diocesan  Conventions. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  the  general  convention,  when- 
ever any  alteration  of  the  constitution  is  proposed,  or  any  other  subject 
submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  several  state  or  diocesan  conven 
tions,  to  give  a  particular  notice  thereof  to  the  ecclesiastical  authority 
of  this  church  in  every  state  or  diocese. 

Canon  XLV.  Providing  for  an  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  Church 
from  time  to  time. 

As  a  full  and  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  church,  from  time  to 
time,  is  highly  useful  and  necessary,  it  is  hereby  ordered,  that  every 
minister  of  this  church  shall  present  or  forward,  at  every  annual  con- 
vention, to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  or,  where  there  is  no  Bishop,  to 
the  president  of  the  convention,  a  statement  of  the  number  of  baptisms, 
marriages,  and  funerals,  and  of  the  number  of  communicants  in  his 
parish  or  church,  and  of  all  other  matters  that  may  throw  light  on  the 
state  of  the  same  :  and  these  parochial  reports  shall  be  read  and  entered 
on  the  Journals  of  the  convention. 

At  every  annual  state  or  diocesan  convention,  the  bishop  shall  deliver 
an  address,  stating  the  affairs  of  the  diocese  since  the  last  meeting  of 
the  convention,  the  names  of  the  churches  which  he  has  visited;  the 
•number  of  persons  confirmed ;  the  names  of  those  who  have  been  re- 
ceived as  candidates  for  orders,  and  of  those  who  have  been  ordained, 
suspended,  or  degraded  ;  the  changes  by  death,  removal,  or  otherwise, 
which  have  taken  place  among  the  clergy:  and,  in  general,  all  matters 
tending  to  throw  light  on  the  affairs  of  the  diocese  :  which  address  shall 
be  ineerted  on  the  Journals. 


314 

At  every  general  convention,  the  Journals  of  the  different  etate  con- 
ventions since  the  last  general  convention,  together  with  such  other 
|>apers,  Viz.  Episcopal  charges,  addresses,  and  pastoral  letters,  as  may 
tend  to  throw  light  on  the  state  of  the  church  in  each  diocese,  shall  be 
presented  to  the  house  of  clerical  and  lay  deputies.  And  the  parochial 
rieports  inserted  on  those  Journals,  together  with  the  Episcopal  addres- 
ses, shall  be  read  in  the  said  house.  And  a  particular  inquiry  shall  be 
instituted  into  the  state  of  the  church  in  each  diocese,  and  particularly 
into  the  attention  paid  to  the  canons  and  rules  of  the  church.  A  cora- 
jnittee  shall  then  be  appointed  to  draw  up  a  view  of  the  state  of  the 
church,  and  to  make  report  to  the  house  of  clerical  and  lay  deputies ; 
which  report,  when  agreed  to  by  the  said  house,  shall  be  sent  to  the 
bouse  of  bishops,  with  a  request,  that  they  will  draw  up  and  cause  to 
be  published,  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  members  of  the  church. 

It  shall  be  tlie  duty  of  the  secretary  of  the  convention  of  every  dio- 
cese or  state,  or  of  the  person  or  persons  with  whom  the  Journals  or 
other  ecclesiastical  papers  are  lodged,  to  forward  to  the  house  of  clerical 
and  lay  deputies,  at  every  general  convention,  the  documents  and  papers 
specified  in  this  canon.* 

Canon  XLVI.  Providing  for  making  Jinown  the  Consiiluiion  and  Ca- 
nons of  the  Church,  f 

In  general  convention,  at  Baltimore,  May,  1808. 

By  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  President. 
Attested,  JAMES  WHITEHEAD,  D.  D.  Secretary. 

By  order  of  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

ABRAHAM  BEACH,  D.  D.  President. 
Attested,  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART,  D.  Y  .  Secretary. 


CANON  OF  1 811. 

Canon  repealing  the  Mth  Canon. 

The  46th  canon,  providing  for  making  known  the  constitution  and 
Ganons  of  the  church,  is  hereby  repealed. 

House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

ISAAC  WILKINS,  President. 
Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

House  of  Bishops, 
WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 
Philo  Shelton,  Secretary. 


CANONS  OF  1814. 

f.'ANON  I.    Concerning  the  Alms  and  Contributions  at  the  Holy  Commu 

jiion. 

Whereas,  it  appears,  that  no  direction  has  been  made,  as  to  the  mode 
in  which  the  alms  and  contributions  at  the  administration  of  the  holy 

"   Sec  the  llMcanon  of  1814.  f  See  the  canon  6f  1811. 


communion  are  to  be  applied,  it  is  hereby  declared,  that  they  sliall  be 
deposited  with  the  miiiisler  of  the  parish,  or  with  such  church  officer  as 
shall  be  appointed  by  him,  to  be  applied  by  the  minister  or  under  his  su- 
perintendance,  to  such  pious  and  charitable  uses  as  shall  be  thought  fit. 

Canon  II.  Altering  and  explainins;  the  29lk  Canon,  concerning  the  elec- 
tion and  insliluUon  oj' Ministers. 

So  much  of  the  29th  canon  of  1808,  as  requires  the  institution  of  an 
assistant  minister,  in  order  to  his  being  considered  as  a  regularly  admit- 
ed  and  settled  parochial  minister  in  any  diocess  or  state,  and  his  having 
a  voice  in  the  choice  of  a  Bishop,  in  consequence  of  his  not  having  been 
instituted,  and  as  excludes  a  deacon  from  a  seat  and  vote  in  any  con- 
vention where  he  is  not  excluded  by  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the 
church  in  any  diocess,  is  hereby  repealed.  It  is  also  declared,  in  ex- 
planation of  the  said  canon,  that  the  provision  concerning  the  use  of  the 
office  of  institution,  is  not  to  be  considered  as  applying  to  any  congre- 
gation destitute  of  a  house  of  worship. 

Canon  III.  Repealing  part  of  the  h5th  Canon  of  1808. 

That  part  of  the  45th  canon  of  1808,  which  requires  that  the  parochi- 
al reports  inserted  on  the  journals  of  each  state  or  diocesan  convention, 
shall  be  read  in  the  house  of  clerical  and  lay  deputies  in  general  conven- 
tion, is  hereby  repealed. 

By  order  of  the  house  of  Bishops, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D.  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attest.     Jackson  Kemper,  Secretary. 

By  order  of  the  house  of  clerical  and  lay  deputies, 

JOHN  CROES,  D.  D.  President. 
Attest.     Ashbel  Baldwin,  Secretary. 

A  PRAYER 

To  he  ustd  at  the  meetings  of  Convention,  adopted  in  General  Con- 
vention, 1799. 
ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who,  by  thy  Holy  Spirit  didst 
preside  in  the  council  of  the  blessed  Apostles,  and  hast  promised, 
through  thy  Son  Jesus  Chi#t,  to  be  with  thy  church  to  the  end  of  the 
world;  we  beseech  thee  to  be  present  with  the  council  of  thy  church 
here  assembled  in  thy  name  and  presence.  Save  them  from  all  error, 
ignorance,  pride,  and  prejudice  ;  and  of  thy  great  mercy  vouchsafe,  we 
beseech  thee,  so  to  direct,  sanctify,  and  govern  us  in  our  present  work, 
by  the  mighty  power  of  the  Holy  Ghcst,  that  the  comfortable  gospel  of 
Christ  may  be  truly  preached,  truly  received,  and  truly  followed,  in  all 
places,  to  the  breaking  down  of  tlie  kingdom  of  sin,  satan,  and  death ; 
till  at  length  the  whole  of  thy  dispersed  sheep,  being  gathered  into  one 
fold,  shall  become  partakers  of  everlasting  life,  tlirough  the  merits  and 
death  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.     Amen. 


Course  of  Ecclesiastical  Studies,  established  hij  the  House  of  Bishops  iu 
the  Convention  of  IZQk.;  in  pursuance  of  a  Resolution  of  the  precetUng 
General  Convention. 
IN  attending  to  this  subject,  a  considerable  difficulty  occurs,  aris- 
ing out  of  the  difference  of  the  circumstances  of  students,  in  regard  nbt 


34G 

only  t0  intellectual  endowments  and  preparatory  knowledge  of  langua" 
ges'and  science  ;  but  to  access  to  authors,  and  time  to  be  devoted  to  a 
preparation  for  the  ministry.  For  in  accommodating  to  those  whose 
means  are  slender,  we  are  in  danger  of  derogating  from  the  importance 
of  religious  knowledge;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  although  we  should 
demand  all  that  is  desirable,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  content  ourselves, 
in  some  cases,  with  what  is  barely  necessary. 

In  consideration  of  the  above,  it  will  be  expedient  to  set  down  such  a 
course  of  study,  as  is  accommodated  to  a  moderate  portion  of  time  and 
means ;  and  afterwards  to  suggest  provision,  as  well  for  a  more  limited 
as  for  a  more  enlarged  share  of  both. 

Let  the  student  be  required  to  begin  with  some  books,  in  proof  of  the 
divine  author ily  q/' Christianity ;  such  as  Grotius  on  the  Truth  of  the 
Christian  Retigion  ;  Jenkins  on  the  Reasonableness  of  Christianity  ;  Pa- 
ley's  Evidences ;  Leslie's  Methods  with  the  Jervs  and  Deists  ;  Stilling- 
fleet's  Origines  Sacrce  ;  and  Butler's  Analogy.  To  the  above  should  be 
added  some  books,  which  give  a  knowledge  of  the  objections  made  by 
Deists.  For  this,  Leland's  View  may  be  sufficient ;  except  that  it  should 
be  followed  by  answers  to  deistical  writers  since  Leiand,  whose  works 
and  the  answers  to  them  may  be  supposed  known  to  the  student.  It 
Would  be  best,  if  circumstances  permit,  that  he  should  read  what  the 
Deists  themselves  have  written. 

After  (he  books  in  proof  of  revelation,  let  the  student,  previously  to 
the  reading  of  any  system  of  divinity,  study  the  Scriptures  with  the  help 
of  some  approved  Commentators  ;  such  as  Patrick  and  Lowth  on  the 
Old  Testament,  and  Hammond,  or  Whitby,  or  Doddridge  on  the  JVen?; 
being  aware,  in  regard  to  the  last  mentioned  author,  of  the  points  on 
which  he  tliffers  from  our  Church,  although  it  be  with  moderation  and 
candour.  During  such  his  study  of  the  scriptures,  let  him  read  some 
work  or  works  which  give  an  account  of  the  design  of  the  different 
hooks,  and  the  grounds  on  which  their  respective  authority  is  asserted; 
for  instance.  Father  Simon's  Canon  of  Scripture,  Collier's  Sacred  In- 
terpreter, Gray's  Key  to  the  Old  Testament,  and  Percy's  Key  to  the 
New.  Let  the  student  read  the  scriptures  over  and  over,  referring  to 
his  commentators  as  need  may  require,  until  he  can  give  an  account  of 
the  design  and  character  of  each  hook,  arw  explain  the  more  difficult 
passages  of  it.  He  is  supposed  to  know  enough  of  Profane  History,  to 
give  an  account  of  that  also,  whenever  it  mixes  with  the  Sacred.  There 
are  certain  important  subjects  which  may  be  profitably  attended  to,  as 
matters  of  distinct  study,  during  the  course  of  the  general  study  of  scrip- 
ture. For  instance  ;  the  student  having  proceeded  as  far  as  the  Deluge, 
may  read  some  author  who  gives  a  larger  account  than  the  conwienta- 
tors,  of  the  particulars  attached  to  that  crisis ;  and  also  the  principles  on 
which  are  founded  the  different  systems  of  Chronology :  all  which  will 
be  found  clearly  done  in  the  Universal  History.  In  reading  the  book  of 
Leviticus,  it  will  be  useful  to  attend  to  some  connected  scheme  of  the 
sacrifices  ;  such  as  is  exhibited  by  Bishop  Kidder  in  his  Introduction  to 
the  Pentateuch,  and  by  Mr.  Joseph  Mede  in  some  of  his  discourses.  A 
more  full  and  interesting  interpretation  of  the  Prophecies,  than  can  be  ex- 
pected from  the  commentators,  will  be  desirable,  and  for  this  purpose, 
let  Bishop  Newton's  Work  be  taken.  Between  the  study  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament and  that  of  the  New,  should  be  read  Prideaux's  and  Shuckford's 
Connections.  With  the  New  Testament  should  be  taken  some  book  re- 
lating to  the  Harmony  oftht  Gospels,  as  M'Knight's  orBishop  Newcome's. 


347 

Let  the  student,  before  entering  on  the  Gospels,  read  Dr.  Campbell's 
Introductory  Dissertations.  Towards  the  close  of  the  Gospels,  the  sub- 
ject of  the  Resurrection  should  be  particularly  attended  to  ;  for  which 
purpose  let  there  be  taken  either  Mr.  West  on  the  sultject,  or  Bishop 
Sherlock's  Trial  of  (he  Witnesses. 

After  the  study  of  the  scriptures,  let  attention  be  given  to  Ecclesiasti- 
cal History,  so  far  as  to  the  Council  of  Nice.  This  period  is  distinctly 
taken,  from  a  desire  that  the  portion  of  history  precedins;  it,  as  well  as 
the  opinions  then  entertained,  may  be  learned  from  original  nrilcrs  ; 
which  may  be  considered  as  one  of  the  best  expedients,  for  (he  guarding 
of  the  student  against  many  errors  of  modern  times.  The  wiilers  of  that 
interval  are  not  numerous  or  bulky.  Eusebius  is  soon  read  through  ; 
and  so  are  the  Apostohc  Fathers.  Even  the  other  writers  are  not  volu- 
minous, except  Origen,  the  greater  part  of  whose  works  may  be  passed 
over.  The  Apostolic  Fathers  lany  be  best  read  in  Cotelerius's  edition  ; 
but  there  are  translations  of  most  of  them  by  Archbishop  Wake,  and  the 
Rev.  William  Reeves.  Cave's  Lives  of  the  Apostles  and  Fathers  may 
be  profitably  read  at  this  period. 

This  stage  of  the  student's  progress  seems  the  most  proper  for  the 
study  oi  the  two  questions,  of  our  Lord's  Divinity,  and  of  Episcopacy. 
The  aspect  of  early  ivorks  on  these  subjects,  best  enables  us  to  ascertain 
in  what  shape  they  appeared  to  the  respective  writers.  And  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  suppose,  on  the  grotind  of  what  we  know  of  human  nature,  that, 
during  the  first  three  centuries,  either  the  character  of  Christ  should  have 
been  conceived  of  as  materially  diH'erent  from  what  had  been  the  repre- 
sentation of  it  by  the  first  teachers  of  our  religion  ;  or,  (hat  there  should 
have  been  a  material  change  of  church  government,  without  opposition 
to  the  innovation.  For  (he  former  question,  let  (he  works  of  Bishop 
Bull  and  the  Rev.  Charles  Leslie  be  taken;  to  which  may  well  be  ad- 
ded the  late  controversj'  between  Bishop  Horsley  and  Dr.  Priestley  ; 
and  for  the  latter.  Mr.  Hooker's  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  Archbishop  Pot- 
ter on  Church  Government,  and  Daubeny's  Guide  to  the  Church.  As 
the  Lord  Chancellor  King  published  a  book  on  tlic  discipline  of  the  pri- 
mitive Church,  in  which  he  has  rested  E[>iscopaey  on  insufficient 
grounds,  unwarily  admitted  bv  many  on  his  authority  ;  let  the  student 
read  his  book,  and  the  refut^ion  of  it  in  Mr.  Slater's  Original  draft  of 
the  priynilive  Church. 

After  this,  let  the  student  go  on  with  the  History  of  the  Fourth  Cen- 
tury, from  Mosheim.  But  it  will  be  of  advarita-j;*'  to  him  to  turn  to 
Fleury's /J/.sYor?/ for  the  Epilomies  there  given  of  the  writings  of  the  em- 
inent men  who  abounded  in  that  century  and  part  of  (he  next.  Lei  him 
then  return  to  Mosheim,  and  go  on  with  that  writer  to  the  Rrfurmation. 
Here  let  him  pause  and  studj%  as  the  main  hinges  of  Pop/ry,  its  preten- 
ces to  sw/7re?«frf?/ and  injallilnlity  ;  on  which  there  will  be  found  satis- 
factory matter  in  Mr.  Chillingworfli's  Religion  of  Protestants,  a  safe  nay 
to  Salvation,  and  Dr.  Barrow's  Treatise  of  the  Pope^s  supremacy.  Here 
also,  let  there  be  read  Father  Paul's  History  of  the  Council  of  Trent. 
Then  let  the  s(uden(  resume  Mosheim.  Bu(  it  will  he  be.st,  if,  for  a 
more  minute  knowledge  of  (he  History  of  the  Church  of  England  since 
the  Reformation,  he  take  along  with  him  Collie  r';;  History ;  a  verj-^  able 
work  ;  but  in  the  reading  of  which,  some  allowance  must  be  made  for 
peculiar  |)re)udices.  On  cominsr,  in  tiie  reigu  ofElizabetli,  to  (he  ques- 
tions which  arose  between  Ww  Divines  of  the  established  fVn/rc/i  and  the 
Presbyterians,  then  known  by  the  name  of  Vuritans,  let  recourse  he 


348 

again  had  to  Mr.  Hooker's  Work,  and  to  the  London  cases.     Then  let 
Mosheira  be  proceeded  with  to  the  end. 

After  these  studies,  and  not  before,  let  Divinity  be  read  in  a  sysiema- 
Uc  method.  Bishop  Pearson's  Exposilion  of  the  Creed,  may  be  consider- 
ed as  a  small  system ;  and,  on  account  of  the  excellence  of  the  work,  is 
recommended;  as  also  Bishop  Burnet's  Exposition  of  the  Thirty-Nine 
Articles-  Then,  let  a  larger  system  be  taken;  suppose  Sfackhouse's 
Body  of  Divinity,  with  the  addition  of  the  following  modern  works  r 
Elements  of  Christian  Theology,  by  the  present  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  and 
The  Scholar  Armed.  That  many  works  of  this  sort  are  not  mentioned, 
is  because  we  think  their  utility  is  principally  confined  to  arrangement, 
and  suppose  that  the  knowledge  they  convey  is  to  be  obtained  from  the 
scriptures  and  judicious  commentators. 

It  seems  necessary  to  this  course  of  study,  to  recommend  the  Sermons 
of  some  of  the  most  distinguished  preachers  ;  who  have  so  abounded  in 
the  Church  of  England  for  some  ages  past,  that  the  only  matter  will  be, 
from  among  many  of  great  name,  to  select  a  convenient  number.  And 
for  this  purpose  we  refer  to  the  list  at  the  end. 

It  seems  not  unnecessary  to  require  attention  to  the  History  of  the 
Common  Prayc? ,  the  grounds  on  which  the  differcmt  services  are  con- 
structed, and  the  meaning  of  the  Rubrics.  Perhaps  a  careful  study  of 
Dr.  Wheatley  on  the  Common  Prayer,  and  of  the  late  work  of  Mr. 
Reeves,  will  be  sufficient. 

Some  books  should  be  read  on  the  dtdies  of  the  Pastoral  office;  such 
as  St.  Chrysostom  on  tlie  Priesthood,  Bishop  Burnet  on  the  Pastoral 
Care,  and  Bishop  AVilson's  Parochialia.  It  is,  however,  to  be  remem- 
bered, that  one  reason  of  studying  carefully  the  Book  of  Common  Pray- 
er and  its  Rubrics,  is,  that  by  the  help  of  these,  in  connection  with  what 
belongs  in  Scripture  to  the  ministerial  character,  sufficient  information  of 
its  duties  may  be  had. 

A  knowledge  of  the  Constitidion  and  the  Conors,  should  be  held  abso- 
lutely necessary.  And  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  they  will,  on  this  account, 
be  soon  published,  detached  from  the  journals. 

To  set  down  what  books  shall  be  essential,  no  student  to  be  ordained 
without  he'mg  fully  prepared  to  answer  on  them,  is  more  difficult.  The 
loivest  requisition  \s  as  follows: — Paley's  Evidences;  Mosheim,  with  a 
reference  to  Mr.  Hooker  for  the  Episcopacy ;  Stackhouse's  Body  of  Di- 
vinity ;  and  Mr.  Reeves  on  the  Common  Prayer  ;  the  Constitution  and 
Canons  of  the  Church;  allowing  in  the  study  of  the  Scriptures  a  latitude 
of  choice  among  approved  Commentators ;  it  being  understood,  tliat 
if  the  student  cannot,  on  the  grounds  contained  in  some  good  commenta- 
ry, give  an  account  of  the  (liferent  hooks,  and  explain  such  passages  as 
piay  be  proposed  to  him,  thii;  is  of  itself  a  disqualijication. 

In  the  beginning  it  was  intimated,  that  the  course  to  be  recommend- 
ed would  be  disproportioned  to  the  means  of  some,  and  fall  short  of  wjiat 
would  l)e  within  the  comp^^ss  of  others.  For  the  benefit  of  the  latter,  we 
publish  the  following  list  of  books  on  the  different  branches  of  ecclesias- 
«ical  knowledge. 

During  the  whole  course  of  study,  the  student  will  endeavour,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  cultivate  his  heart  b}^  attention  to  devotional  and  prac- 
tical treatises ;  several  of  which  will  be  mentioned  in  the  general  list  that 
folloyv'S. 


349 


Library  for  a  Parish  Minister,  j)rP.fi.red  to  "  "Ehmenis  of  Christian  The- 
olog}/,'"  published  by  the  l{ii!;ht  Rev.  the  present  Bishop  of  Lincoln. 
The  books  mentioned  are  divided  into  four  classes. 

"  The  first,  containing;  such  as  relate  to  the  exposition  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments:  the  second,  such  as  serve  to  establish  the  divine  au- 
thority of  the  Scriptures  :  the  third,  such  as  ex[)Iain  the  doctrines  and 
discipline  of  the  cliurch,  and  the  duties  of  its  Ministers:  and  the  fourth, 
miscellaneous,  including  sermons  and  Ecclesiastical  History. 

"  Class  the  first." 


Leland  on  the  Divine  Authority 
Old  and  New  Testament, 
8vo. 

"  Class  the  third. 


of  tlie 
2  vols. 


"Bible,  with  marg'inal  references,  8vo. 

CrtttiueW s  Concordance  of  Parallels,  4to. 

£utter~verth's  Concordance,  8vo. 

Patrick,  Lo-wth,  and  Whitby,  on  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  6  vols,  folio. 

Doddridge' sViimAy  Expositor,  6  vols.Bvo. 

JPool's  Synopsis,  5  vols,  folio. 

Collier^s  Sacred  Interpreter,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Jenninj^s  Jewish  Antiquities,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Loiumaii^ s  Rationale  of  the  Hebrew  Ri- 
tual, Bvo. 

Gray's  Key  to  the  Old  Testament,  Bvo. 

Home's  Scripture  Histoiy  of  the  Jews, 
2  vols.  Svo. 

Parkhiirst's  Greek  Lexicon,  4to. 

Campbell's  Translation  of  tlie  Gospels,  2 
vols.  4to. 

JMarsh's  Michaelj^,  3  vols.  Bvo. 

Boiuyer's  Conjectures  on  the  New  Tes- 
tament, 4to. 

JMacknight's  Harmony,  4to. 

JMacknight  on  the  Epistles,  3  vols.  4to. 

Lo-ivman  on  \hc  Revelation,  Bvo. 

Oliver's  Scripture  Lexicon,  Bvo. 

jyiacbean's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  Bvo. 

"  Class  the  second. 

**  Stilliiigjleet' s  Origlnes  Sacrse,  2  vols. 
Bvo. 

darkens  Grotius,  Bvo. 

Clarke's  Evidences  of  Natural  and  Re- 
vealed Religion,  Bvo. 

Lardner's  Works,  11  vols.  Bvo. 

Paley's  Evidences,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Horse  Paulins,  Bvo. 

Jenkins  on  the  Certainty  and  Reasona- 
bleness of  Christianity,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Leland  on  the  A  chantage  and  Necessity 
of  Revelation,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Lelamrs  View  of  Deistical  Writers,  2 
vols.  Bvo. 

Butler's  Analogy,  Bvo. 

Campbell  on  Miracles,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

%f\'eiuton  on  the  Prophecies,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

Kelt's  History  the  Interpreter  of  Prophe- 
cy, 3  vols.  12mo. 

In  addition  to  the  preceding  may  be  recommended  the  follo-vin^ 
devotional  and  practical  Books. 

Sermons  by  Bishop  Pearce.  — — by  Bishop  Porteus 

— — by  Bishop  Wilson.  by  Dr.  Jortin. 

'^  by  Bishop  Home.         ^  by  Dr.  Brady.  * 


"  Burnet's  History  of  the  Reformation, 
3  vols,  folio. 

Exposition  of  the  39  Articles, 

Bvo. 

Pastoral  Care,  Bvo. 

Pearson  on  the  Creed,  2  vols.  Bvo. 

J^'ichoUs  on  the  Common  Prayer,  Bvo. 

Wheatley  on  the  Common  Prayer,  Bvo. 

Shepherd  on  tlie  Common  Praj-er,  Bvo. 

Wilson's  Parochialia,  12mo. 

fF(;7/on  Infant  Baptism,  2  vols.  Svo. 

Seeker  on  the  Catechism,  12mo. 

Seeker's     liarges,  Bvo. 

The  Ifomilies,  by  Sir  Adam  Gordon,  ^\c, 

Danbeny's  Guide  to  the  Church. 

Appendix  to  do.  2  vols. 

"  Class  the  fourth. 

"  Cudivorth's  Intellectual  System,  2  volt. 
4to. 

Hooker's  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  3  vols.  Bvo. 

Bingham's  Antiquities,  2  vols,  folio. 

Broughto7i's  Dictionary  of  all  Religions, 
2  vols,  folio. 

Shuckford's  Connection,  4  vols.  Bvo. 

Prideaux's  Connection, 4  vols.Bvo. 

Echard's  Ecclesiastical  History,  2  vols. 
Bvo. 

JMosheim's  Ecclesiastical  History,  6  vols. 
Bvo. 

Burn's  Ecclesiastical  Law,  4  vols.  Bvo. 

Common  Place  Book  to  the  Holy  Bible, 
4to. 

Barro-zv's  Works,  3  vols,  folio. 

Tillotson's  Works,  3  vols,  folio. 

Clarke's  Sermons,  B  vols.  Bvo. 

Sherlock's  Sermons,  5  vols.  Bvo. 

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list  of  Sermons  and 


350 

Sermons  by  the  late  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Nelson's  Practice  of  true  Devotion. 

Seabury,  of  this  Church.  — —  Christian  Sacrifice. 

.  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  of  Bishop  Taylor's  Rule  of  Holy  Living  and 

the  same.  Dying. 

Bishop  Gibson's  Tracts.  Scougall's  Life  of  God  in  the  Soul  of 
Bishop    Home's   Commentary  on  the  Man. 

Psalms.  Dr.  Sherlock  on  Death. 

Rev.  Wm.  Jones's  (of  Nayland)  Works. on  Judgment. 

Nelson's    Festivals    and  Fasts  of  the on  a  Future  State. 

Church.  — __— .  on  Providence. 

JBy  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 


SECOND  APPENDIX. 

(NO.  I.) 


A 

PASTORAL  LETTER 


TO  THE 


MEMBERS 


OP  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


FROM  THE 


HOUSE   OF  BISHOPS  OF  SAID  CHURCH, 


A.SSEMBLED   IN 


GENERAL  CONVENTION, 


AT  BALTIMORE, 
MAY,  1808. 


A  PASTORAL  LETTER 

From  the  House  of  Bishops  of  tlie  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  to  the 

Members  of  the  same. 
Brethren, 

BEING  assembled  in  general  convention,  with  the  clerical  and 
lay  deputies  of  our  communion,  we  embrace  the  opportunity  of  address- 
ing you  on  its  concerns.  But  before  we  proceed  to  the  subjects  of 
advice  contemplated  by  us  on  this  occasion,  we  lift  up  our  hearts  to  the 
Father  of  mercies,  thanking  him  for  our  being  in  possession  of  all  that 
we  esteem  necessary  for  the  professing  of  his  holy  and  eternal  truth. 
And  while  we  ascribe  this  benetit  to  his  unbounded  goodness,  we  re- 
cognize in  it  the  truth  of  the  promises  made  to  the  church  by  her  divine 
Head,  of  being  with  her  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

It  is  within  the  memory  of  many  of  you,  that  when  these  states,  in 
the  course  of  divine  Providence,  became  elevated  to  a  place  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth ;  and  when,  in  consequence,  our  congregations, 
planted  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Church  of  England,  were  with- 
drawn from  it,  they  had  no  longer  any  common  centre  of  union ;  being 
not  only  without  an  entire  ministry,  but  severally  in  a  state  of  separate 
independence,  inconsistent  with  the  catholic  principles  which  they  had 
inherited  from  their  founders.  Under  these  circumstances,  there  was 
required  no  small  measure  of  faith,  as  well  in  the  integrity  of  our  sys- 
tem, as  in  the  divine  blessing  on  any  endeavours  which  might  be  begun, 
to  elevate  us  above  those  apprehensions  which  described  the  continuance 
of  our  communion  as  problematical,  if  not  to  be  despaired  of. 

From  coirespondence  in  some  instances,  and  from  personal  commu- 
nications in  others,  it  soon  a()peared,  that  there  was  at  least  so  much 
attachment  to  the  religious  [)rinciples  of  our  church,  as  ought  to  prevent 
our  considering  of  her  cause  as  desperate.  The  correctness  of  this 
sentiment  became  confirmed,  by  connections  speedily  created  of  our 
churches,  until  then  detached  from  one  another,  on  terms  which  con- 
tem[dated  the  perpeiualing  of  the  communion,  with  all  the  distinguish- 
ing properties  of  the  Church  of  England.  And  the  unanimity  with 
which  this  was  accomplished,  atforded  a  pleasing  presage  of  whatever 
else  we  now  gratefully  remember. 

We  were,  however,  without  that  order  of  the  ministry,  which  we  had 
learned  from  scripture  and  primitive  antiquity,  to  be  essential  to  the 
due  conducting  of  ecclesiastical  concerns;  and  to  the  clothing  of  others 
with  authority  to  preach  the  vvord,  and  to  administer  the  sacraments. 
The  effects  of  this  had  become  conspicuous,  during  the  war  then  re- 
cently ended ;  in  the  course  of  which,  the  greater  number  of  our  con- 
gregations had  become  deprived  of  tiieir  ministers,  without  opportunities 
of  replacing  them.  Matters  were  approaching  to  the  extreme,  in  which 
the  voice  of  a  duly  authorized  ministry  would  not  have  been  heard  with- 
in our  walls.  And  what  deepened  the  gloom  of  the  prospect,  were  the 
restraints  laid  on  our  former  ecclesiastical  superiors,  by  the  establish- 
ments under  which  they  held  their  stations ;  and  which,  unless  removed 
by  authorities  to  which  we  could  not  with  propriety  apply,  might  pre 
vent  them  from  extending  to  us  that  aid,  which,  it  was  presumed,  their 
christian  charity  would  otherwise  dispose  them  to  bestow-. 


353 

Under  these  circumstances,  recourse  was  had  to  the  archbishops  anJ 
bishops  of  England,  who  best  knew  the  nature  of  any  civil  impedimenla 
in  their  way,  and  were  the  best  judges  of  the  means  expedient  for  the 
removing  of  them.  That  we  now  address  you  in  our  official  characters, 
is  an  evidence  of  the  success  of  the  application.  And  it  ought  not  to  be 
noticed  in  this  place,  without  the  record  of  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  pre- 
lates of  England  generally,  and  to  their  lately  deceased  venerable  pri- 
mate* in  particular,  who  exerted  all  the  influence  of  his  high  station,  to 
accomplish  the  wishes  of  this  church ;  and  who,  at  last,  carried  them 
into  effect,  with  a  deportment  which  endeared  his  character  to  those 
who  received  the  succession  from  his  hands.  While  we  thus  do  justice 
to  the  source  to  which  we  principally  looked  in  consequence  of  past 
habits  and  a  sense  of  past  benefits,  it  is  with  pleasure  we  acknowledge 
a  similar  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  episcopacy  which,  in  Scotland,  sur- 
vived the  revolution  in  that  country  in  the  year  1688.  AlthoU'j;h  the 
succession  from  thence  derived  is  now  incorporated  with  that  obtained 
from  England,  yet  we  retain  a  sense  of  the  benefit,  and  oiler  up  our 
pra3'ers  for  the  perpetuity  and  the  increase  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of 
Scotland. 

Even  when  the  succession  had  been  obtained,  there  was  far  from  being 
a  certainty  of  combining  our  church  throughout  the  union.  An  impor- 
tant step  for  the  accomplishing  of  this,  was  the  uniting  in  a  common 
liturgy.  And  althongh  there  was  reason  to  believe,  that  the  liturgy  of 
the  Church  of  England  was  substantially  acceptable  to  us  all ;  yet  there 
were  some  parts  of  it,  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  new  relations  in  which 
we  stood ;  while,  in  regard  to  the  rest,  there  was  room  for  considerable 
difference  of  opinion,  on  points  confessedly  within  the  sphere  of  liunian 
prudence.  The  case  was  full  of  difficulties;  which  were  at  last  removed 
by  that  consent  in  all  things  necessary,  and  that  temper  of  concession  in 
matters  subjected  to  discretion,  which  led  to  the  establishment  of  the 
hook  of  common  prayer,  now  the  standard  of  the  public  worship  of  our 
church. 

There  remained  a  work,  in  itself  more  fruitful  than  any  hitherto 
noticed,  of  discord  and  dissent.  Our  church  had  not  made  a  pro- 
fession of  christian  doctrine,  with  a  reference  to  the  points  on  which  it 
has  been  contradicted,  by  what  we  conceive  to  be  «langerous  error. 
It  is  true,  that  the  articles  of  the  Church  of  England,  except  the  parts  of 
them  abrogated  by  the  revolution,  might  still  be  considered  as  binding 
on  churches,  which  had  been  founded  on  a  i)rofession  of  them.  There 
was,  however,  wanting  an  explicit  declaration  to  silence  all  doubt,  in 
regard  to  their  binding  operation.  And  this,  although  a  matter  encum- 
bered with  much  embarrassment,  was  at  last  happil}"^  effected. 

Whatever  labours,  and  whatever  cares  there  may  have  been  bestowed 
for  the  accomplishing  of  the  objects  stated  in  this  address,  there  must 
have  been  an  ample  compensation  for  them,  in  an  observation  of  their 
effects.  These  are,  indeed,  far  short  of  our  wishes,  and  what  should 
still  be  the  object  of  our  endeavours :  yet  it  must  be  confessed,  that  there 
has  not  only  been  an  arresting  of  the  state  of  decline  which  threatened  a 
dissolution;  but  such  a  religious  prosperity  in  many  places,  and  such  a 
prospect  of  it  in  many  more,  as  are  at  once  a  reward  of  zeal  and  an 
incentive  to  it.     By  communications  made  to  us  from  the  church  in 

*  The  Most  Rev.  John  Moore,  D.  D.  late  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Z  z 


354 

several  states,  in  obedience  to  the  1 1th  canon  of  the  last  general  conven- 
tion, we  have  been  favoured  with  a  more  satisfactory  view  of  this  subject 
than  had  been  before  possessed  by  us.  While  we  record  this,  we  take 
occasion  from  it  to  express  our  expectations,  that  similar  reports  will  be 
more  generally  transmitted  to  the  next  triennial  meeting.  For  we  have 
to  lament,  that  the  communications  exacted  by  the  said  canon,  have  not 
been  universal ;  owing,  perhaps,  to  its  not  having  been  sufficiently  made 
known  ;  or  perhaps,  to  there  not  having  been  sufficiently  understood  the 
object  of  it.  We  are  not  to  learn,  how  far  such  returns  must  be,  from  an 
exact  measure  of  the  power  of  godliness.  Yet,  where  there  is  a  growth 
of  the  profession  of  religion,  there  is  occasion  for  charity  to  hope,  and 
even  ground  in  human  nature  to  justify  the  belief,  that  there  must  be, 
in  some  proportion,  an  increase  of  its  holy  influence  over  the  heart. 

While  we  look  back  with  gratitude  on  the  blessings  of  Almighty  God 
vouchsafed  to  our  communion,  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  a  due  improve- 
ment of  them,  that  we  now  present  them  to  the  view  of  its  members  : 
and,  for  the  accomplishment  of  this,  we  invite  their  attention  to  the  re- 
sulting considerations,  as  they  affect  doclHne — worship — discipline — and 
the  end  of  all,  an  holy  life  and  conversation. 

In  regard  to  doctrine  ;  although  it  vvoultl   be  foreign  to  the  design  of 
this  address,  to  display  to  you  the  whole  body  of  christian  truth,  as  af- 
firmed in  the  articles  of  our  church  ;  yet  we  think  ourselves  called  on  by 
the  occasion,  to  refer  to  some  points,  the  contrary  to  which  are  the 
most  apt  to  show  their  heads,  among  persons  calling  themselves  of  our 
communion.     For  the  guarding  of  you,  therefore,  against  that  great  dan- 
ger, we  affectionately  remind  you,  that  whatever  derogates  from  the  di- 
vinity of  our  blessed  Saviour,  or  from  the  honour  due  to  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit, with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son,  divine ;  that  whatever  detracts 
from  our  Lord's  sufferings  on  the  cross,  as  a  propitiatory  sacrifice  for  sin; 
that  whatever  supposes  man  in  himself  competent  to  his  salvation,  or  to 
anj'  advance  towards  it,  without  the  grace  of  God  going  before  to  dis- 
pose him  to  the  work,  and  concurring  with  him  in  the  accomplishment 
of  it ;  also,  that  whatever  describes  the  favour  of  God  in  this  life,  and  the 
happiness  which  he  offers  to  us  in  another,  as  the  purchase  of  human 
merit,  or  any  thing  else  than  of  the  free  grace  of  God  in  Christ,  and 
through  the  merits  of  his  death  ;  still,  in  connection  with  its  end,  which 
is  the  bringing  of  us  to  be  holy  in  heart  and  in  conversation ;  in  short, 
that  whatever  is  in  the  least  degree  infected  with  the  poison  of  the  re- 
cited errors,  was  intended  to  be  guarded  against  by  our  church,  in  her 
decisions  in  regard  to  doctrine. 

We  are  not  ignorant  of  the  prejudices,  which  represent  all  eccJesiaeli- 
cal  decisions  on  these  and  the  like  points,  as  the  arbitrary  acts  of  man, 
interfering  with  the  word  of  God  revealed  in  scripture.  And  we  are 
ready  to  acknowledge  that,  did  this  charge  lie,  the  matter  censured 
would  be  not  only  presumptuous  in  itself,  but  especially  inconsistent  in 
a  church  which  has  so  explicitly  declared  her  sense,  that  the  scriptures 
contain  all  things  necessary  to  belief  and  practice.  Let  it  then  be  under- 
stood, that  we  disclaim  all  idea  of  adding  to  the  word  of  God,  or  of  its 
being  infalliby  interpreted  by  any  authority  on  earth.  Still,  it  lies  on 
the  ministers  of  the  church  to  open  to  their  flocks  the  truths  of  scripture, 
and  to  guard  them  against  interfering  errors.  What  then  is  the  making 
of  a  declaration  of  the  sense  of  the  church,  but  her  doing  that  as  a  so- 
cial bod)-^,  which  must  be  done  by  her  pastors  individually  ;  although, 
as  may  be  supposed  in  some  instances,  not  with  due  judgment  and  de- 


355 

liberation  ?  It  is  evident,  indeed,  that  this  does  not  answer  the  objection 
in  anothor  shape  in  which  it  meets  us — the  supposed  hardship  laid  on 
those  who  are  otherwise  minded,  than  as  the  standard  may  liave  pre- 
scribed. Still,  the  church  exercises  in  this  matter  no  power,  but  such 
as  must  be  exercised  by  every  minister  in  his  individual  capacity,  under 
the  danger  of  great  abuse  ;  the  effect  of  there  being  always  the  interfer- 
ence of  discretion,  and  sometimes  that  of  passion.  To  go  no  further, 
than  to  the  few  evangelic  truths  which  have  been  referred  to :  there  is 
no  faithful  minister  of  Christ  who  will  endure  the  denial  of  them,  in  a 
church  under  his  pastoral  care,  and  in  circumstances  in  which  there 
shall  be  no  authority  superior  to  his  own,  for  the  remedying  of  the  evil; 
and  not  exercise  that  authority,  within  its  reasonable  limits,  in  order  to 
defend  his  flock  from  errors.  Thus,  there  would  and  ought  to  be  accom- 
plished by  the  individual,  in  the  event  of  the  silence  of  the  church,  what 
she  has  rescued  from  arbitrary  will,  and  made  the  subject  of  deliberate 
law. 

While  we  exhort  all  to  sustain  the  evangelic  truths  found  in  the  arti- 
cles, as  deduced  from  scripture  and  attested  by  the  earliest  ages  of  catho- 
lic Christianity;  we  would  particularly  impress  on  the  clergy,  not  only  a 
sufficient  frequency  in  professedly  stating  to  their  hearers  the  same  truths, 
but  also  to  manifest  their  salutary  influence  on  all  the  other  subjects  of 
their  public  administrations.  We  are  aware  of  the  interference  of  this 
advice,  with  the  opinion  that  mere  morals  are  the  only  suitable  topics  of 
discussion,  and  the  only  ends  of  exhortation,  in  discourses  from  the  pul- 
pit. Far  be  from  us  the  thought  of  assigning  to  morals,  considered  as 
comprehending  not  only  a  eorrect  course  of  conduct,  but  an  holy  state 
of  heart,  a  subordinate  rank  in  the  scale  of  christian  endowment.  For 
what  is  morahty,  thus  defined,  but "  the  living  godly,  righteously  and 
soberly  in  this  present  world,"  which  an  apostle  has  pronounced  the 
very  end  for  which  '*  the  grace  of  God,  bringing  salvation  to  all  men, 
"  hath  appeared?"  But  when  we  take  in  connection  with  the  subject,  the 
depravity  of  the  human  heart;  when  we  recollect  the  influence  of  this, 
wherever  the  gospel  is  unknown,  as  well  on  the  theory  of  morals  as  on 
practice  ;  and  when  there  are  many  evidences  before  our  eyes,  how  lit- 
tle there  is  in  the  world  adorned  by  the  attribute  of  moral  virtue,  in  any 
other  association  than  as  embodied  with,  and  growing  out  of  the  high 
and  leading  sense  of  revelation;  we  suppose  a  fallacy  in  every  modern 
scheme  of  religion,  which  professes  to  make  men  virtuous  without  the 
motives  to  virtue  supplied  to  them  in  the  gospel ;  and  we  think,  that,  iu 
every  endeavour  of  ihis  sort,  in  which  infidelity  is  not  avowed,  we  dis- 
cover it  in  disguise. 

Let  there  not  be  thought  an  objection  to  what  we  advise,  in  the  unrea- 
sonable conduct  of  those,  who,  in  their  zeal  for  unprofitable  speculation, 
lose  sight  of  every  practical  use  for  which  christian  light  has  been  be- 
stowed. We  believe,  that  from  this  there  have  arisen  many  errors  and 
much  mischief.  But  we  are  so  far  from  admitting  it  to  be  a  reasonable 
cause  of  dispensing  with  the  matter  of  our  present  exhortation,  that  we 
perceive,  even  in  the  errors  the  nearest  allied  to  the  truths  of  scripture 
with  which  they  are  confounded,  a  motive  to  the  laying  of  a  due  stress 
ou  these  truths. 

We  shall  say  no  more  on  the  present  branch  of  this  address;  except  to 
assure  our  brethren  of  every  description  in  the  church,  that  as,  accord- 
ing to  our  judgment,  any  preaching,  falling  short  of  what  is  here  held  up, 
is  not  (hat  which  the  gospel  calls  for:  so,  according  to  our  experience, 


356 

ceither  is  it  of  any  considerable  use.  It  has  but  little  effect  on  the  m6- 
rals  of  society ;  still  less  in  the  excitement  of  piety ;  and  least  of  all,  iu 
enlarging  the  bounds  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer,  which  is  estab- 
lished on  quite  another  basis,  and  has  always  been  extended  by  quite 
other  means. 

AVhen  we  bring  before  you,  brethren,  the  subject  of  public  Tvorslnp; 
y6u  will  of  course  suppose,  that  it  is  principally  with  a  view  to  the  devo- 
tions, which,  with  an  extraordinary  degree  of  harmony  and  much  pre- 
vious deliberation,  have  been  constituted  our  established  liturgy. 

Independently  on  the  admirable  prayer  prescribed  by  our  Lord  him- 
self;* there  is  no  fact  equally  ancient,  of  which  we  are  more  fully  per- 
suaded, than  that  the  having  of  prescribed  devotions,  is  a  practice  that 
has  prevailed  from  the  earliest  origin  of  our  religion.  We  mean  not,  that 
there  were  ihe  same  forms  of  prayer  in  all  churches  ;  but  that  every  lo- 
cal church  had  its  rule,  according  to  the  suitableness  of  time  and  place, 
and  under  the  sanction  of  the  episcopacy  of  the  different  districts.  And 
■we  are  further  persuaded,  that  the  christian  economy  in  this  matter  was 
no  other  than  a  continuation  of  the  Jewish,  as  prevailing  in  that  very 
worship  which  was  attended  on,  and  joined  in,  by  our  blessed  Saviour 
and  his  aposrles.  This  is  a  mode  of  worship,  that  has  been  handed  down 
to  us  through  (he  channel  of  the  church  of  England ;  and  we  suppose 
that  we  may  affiiiii,  as  a  notorious  fact,  its  being  acceptable  to  our  com- 
munion o;enoral!y. 

But  if  this  feature  of  our  system  is  to  be  retained,  we  cannot  but  per- 
coi\  e,  that  the  order  of  divine  service  must  be  directed,  not  by  individual 
discretion,  but  by  public  counsel.  If,  on  the  contrary,  this  principle  is 
to  cease  to  govern,  we  know  of  no  plea  for  deviation  tolerfrted  iu  any 
minister,  which  will  not  extend  to  the  indulgence  of  the  humojir  of  every 
member  of  his  congregation.  For  this  is  a  necessary  result  if  that  pro- 
perty of  our  ecclesiastical  system,  which  contemplates  the  ^ercises  of 
prayer  and  praise  as  those  of  a  social  body,  of  which  the  minister  is  the 
leader. 

If  there  should  be  in  any  a  rage  for  innovation,  it  would  be  the  more 
deplored  by  us,  from  the  circumstance  that  it  often  originates  in  the  af- 
fecting of  an  extravagant  degree  of  animal  sensibiHfy  ;  which,  it  must 
be  confessed,  will  not  be  either  excited  or  kept  alive  by  (he  temperate 
devotions  of  our  prescribed  liturgy.  There  are  but  few  prayers  handed 
down  to  us  in  (he  New  Testament :  If,  however,  any  who  may  be  advq^ 
cates  of  an  enthusiastic  fervour  would  duly  contemplate  the  spirit  that 
animates  these  prayers,  they  wotdd  not,  we  think,  undervalue  those  of 
U^e  church,  as  though  they  were  uninteresting  to  the  best  affections  of 
the  human  heart. 

*  The  I  ord's  Prayer  is  g-i  i  to  us  by  St.  Luke  (chap  xi.  2.)  under  the  injunction 
•— '"  When  ve  pray,  say" — w.  ch  is  evidently  language  expressive  of  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  form.  But  the  construction  has  been  thought  to  sustain  an  abiitement  of 
its  force  by  tb.e  words  in  the  parallel  place  of  St  Matthew  (chap.  vi.  9.) — "  After 
this  manner  pray  ye."  There  is,  however,  no  difference  of  sense  in  tlie  two  places. 
The  Greek  word  kt*?,  translated  "after  this  manner,"  may  be  rendered  "  tUus  ;" 
that  is,  "  in  these  wctrds."  For  that  cither  of  the  two  phrases  would  have  espres.sed 
the  meaning-,  appears  from  chap.  ii.  5,  of  the  same  evangelist.  When  Herod  had 
demanded  of  tlie  sanhedrim — "  where  Christ  should  be  born,"  they  made  answer — 
"  hi  Bctiik-hem,  of  Judea  ;  for  thus  [st*;]  it  is  written  by  the  prophet."  Then 
they  go  on  to  repeat  the  prophet's  words — "  And  thou  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of 
Judah,  art  not  the  least  among-  the  princes  of  Judah  :  for  out  of  thee  shall  come 
a  g■o^'ernor,  who  shall  rule  my  people  Israel." 


357 

It  is  impossible  that  there  should  be  composed  forms  for  public  us«, 
and  yet  that  individuals  should  not  perceive  instances  in  which,  accord- 
ing to  their  respective  habits  of  thinking,  the  matter  might  have  been 
more  judiciously  conceived,  or  more  happily  expressed.  It  is,  how- 
ever evident,  that  this,  far  from  being  prevented,  would  be  much  in- 
creased, bj'  removing  the  subject  from  the  controlling  authority  of  th« 
church,  to  that  of  her  ministers  in  their  respective  places.  The  cause 
of  the  supposed  evil,  is  an  imperfection  in  human  affairs,  to  which  they 
will  be  always  liable ;  and  a  temper  to  accommodate  to  it,  is  an  essential 
circumstance  of  a  worthy  membership  of  society,  whether  civil  or  reli- 
gious. The  dissatisfaction  alluded  to  may  effect  either  circumstantials,  or 
the  essence  of  the  established  liturgy.  If  it  apply  to  the  former,  submis- 
sion of  private  opinion  is  one  of  the  smallest  sacrifices  which  may  be 
exacted,  for  the  maintenance  of  order.  But  if  any  should  lightly  esteem 
the  service,  froin  the  opinion  that  it  is  below  the  dignity  of  the  subjects 
comprehended  in  it,  and  unequal  to  the  uses  which  prayers  and  praises 
point  to ;  we  have  so  much  to  oppose  to  such  a  sentiment,  in  the  sense  of 
wise  and  holy  men  of  our  communion  in  former  ages,  still  shining  as  Hghts 
to  the  world  in  their  estimable  writings;  so  much,  also,  in  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  judicious  persons  not  of  our  communion,  both  in  past  ages  and 
in  the  present ;  and  so  much  of  the  effects  of  the  habitual  use  of  the  liturgy,. 
on  the  tempers  and  on  the  lives  of  persons,  v/ho,  in  their  respective 
days,  have  eminently  "  adorned  the  doctrine  of  their  God  and  Saviour;" 
that,  if  we  spare  an  appeal  to  the  modesty  of  the  complainants,  we  are 
constrained  to  make  a  demand  on  their  justice;  and,  in  the  name  of  all 
true  members  of  our  communion,  to  insist  on  being  left  in  the  secure 
possession  of  a  mode  of  worship,  which  has  become  endeared  to  us  by 
habit  and  by  choice.  It  is  on  this  ground,  that  we  consider  every  church- 
man as  possessing  a  personal  right  to  lift  up  his  voice  against  the  inter- 
mixture of  foreign  matter  with  the  service;  rendering  it  such,  as  can 
never  be  acceptable  to  the  same  judgments,  or  interesting  to  the  same 
affections. 

In  regard  to  any  license  which  may  be  taken  of  another  kind,  that  of 
varying  words  or  phrases,  for  an  accommodation  to  the  reader's  ideas  of 
correct  expression;  to  any  minister  who  may  be  tempted  to  this  fault, 
we  intimate,  that  it  has  the  effect  of  subjecting  him  to  the  imputation  of 
a  species  of  levity,  which  breeds  contempt.  Certainly,  every  conside- 
ration which  should  relieve  him  from  the  charge  of  error,  would  propor- 
ifionably  expose  him  to  that  of  vanity.  But,  whether  it  be  error  or 
vanity,  the  fault  of  wanton  irregularity  is  attached  to  it. 

Under  t!ie  operaiion  of  the  sentiments  which  have  been  delivered,  we 
should  b3  especially  giieved  to  hear  of  any  ministers,  that  they  make 
the  services  of  tiie  church  give  way  to  their  own  crude  conceptions. 
We  call  them  such,  because  it  may  be  expected  from  experience  of  for- 
mer times,  that  a  practice  so  irref^ular  in  itself,  would  be  generally  found 
in  those  who  have  tlie  most  moderate  share  of  the  knowledge  and  the 
discretioi!,  qua!ifving  far  a  judicious  e:Merci3e  of  the  authority  thus  arro- 
gated While  we  earnestly  admonish  all  ministers  agair.st  this  assumption 
of  a  power  not  committed  to  them,  we  also  exhort  the  laity  to  avoid 
enccuragement  of  the  delinquency,  should  it  happen,  and,  much  more, 
induc<'nient  to  it.  We  know  that  the  most  infeiliirent  and  best  informed 
la}'  niojnoi  rs  of  our  communion,  if  this  license  should  be  obtruded  on 
them,  would  disapprove  of  it ;  and,  if  they  did  not  complain  in  public, 
would  moum  ia  private.     Even  of  those  who,  in  any  way,  might  coun- 


358 

tcnance  the  irregularity  we  should  hope,  that  they  either  did  not  knowr 
or  did  not  recollect  the  sacred  promises  which  would  be  hereby  broken. 
And,  on  the  whole,  we  announce,  both  to  the  clergy  and  to  the  laity,  our 
utter  disapprobation  of  the  irregularity  here  remarked  on ;  calling  on 
every  one  of  them,  in  his  place,  to  give  his  aid  to  the  guarding  against 
the  evil ;  both  by  persuasion,  and  by  every  other  temperate  expedient 
provided  by  the  canons  of  the  church. 

We  cannot  be  on  this  subject  without  lamenting,  that,  of  a  service 
in  itself  so  full  of  edification,  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  due  effect 
should  be  defeated,  inconsequence  not  of  disapprobation  or  dislike,  but 
of  neglect  of  joining  in  it,  as  in  heart,  so  likewise  audibly  and  in  the 
prescribed  postures.  We  pray  you,  brethren,  not  to  impute  what  we 
say  on  this  point  to  a  zeal  for  mere  decorous  appearance.  We  do  not, 
indeed,  hesitate  to  acknowledge,  even  of  this,  that  it  is  a  laudable  object 
of  endeavour.  But  the  matters  on  which  we  have  laid  a  stress,  are 
supposed  by  us  to  be  considerably  connected  with  the  devotion  of  the. 
inward  man.  It  is  one  of  the  properties  of  social  worship,  that,  of  those 
engaged  in  it,  every  one  may  excite  and  receive  excitement  from  the 
others.  And,  indeed,  when  we  open  the  uses  of  such  worship,  in  order 
to  demonstrate  the  reasonableness  of  its  being  required,  this  is  the  point 
on  which  the  weight  of  the  argument  principally  rests.  If  the  present 
view  of  the  subject  be  correct,  the  omissions  complained  of  reach  much 
deeper  than  to  the  deforming  of  the  service,  and  disclose  to  us  how 
much  there  may  be  imputed  to  this  cause,  of  the  entire  neglect  of  it  by 
mawy.  And  even  if  the  other  only  were  the  consequence,  it  ought  to 
have  great  weight;  especially  since,  if  the  omission  were  defensible,  the 
service  has  been  constructed  on  a  mistaken  plan,  which  occasions  its 
excellency  to  be  in  a  great  measure  lost  sight  of,  in  the  inconsistent 
manner  of  the  performance. 

There  is  another  department  of  our  religious  worship,  necessarily  left 
in  some  measure  to  discretion,  which  we  know  to  be  much  abused  in 
many  places,  and  have  reason  to  believe  to  be  so  in  many  more ;  not 
intei'tionally,  either  by  ministers  or  by  their  congregations ;  but  probably 
to  the  dissatisfaction  of  both,  yet  too  patiently  endured  by  them.  What 
we  allude  to,  is  the  manner  in  which  there  is  sometimes  conducted  the 
otherwise  pleasing  and  edifying  exercise  of  psalmody.  In  this  line  there 
are  employed  persons,  who,  being  regardless  alike  of  godliness  and  of 
decency,  presume  to  set  themselves  in  contrarietj'  to  all  the  uses,  for 
vyhich  alone  the  art  of  music  can  with  propriety  display  its  charms  within 
the  house  of  God.  Thus,  there  are  outraged  the  feelings  of  all  devout 
persons;  and  not  of  them  only,  but  of  all  who  entertain  a  sense  of  con- 
sistency and  propriety.  On  the  ratifying  of  the  book  of  common  pray- 
er, an  endeavour  was  made  to  give  a  check  to  this  enormity,  by  the 
rubrick  preceding  the  psalms  in  metre.  We  desire  to  recal  the  aticiition 
of  the  church  generally,  and  of  the  clergy  in  particular,  to  the  provisions 
of  that  rubrick.  And  we  further  recommend  to  all  those  who  have  the 
appointment  of  performers  in  the  musical  department,  that,  if  possible, 
none  may  be  appointed  in  whom  there  are  not  found  a  visible  profession 
of  religion,  in  alliance  with  an  irreproachable  conversation.  But  if,  in 
any  instance,  it  should  be  thought  that  the  profession  must  of  necessity 
be  dispensed  with ;  let  it  at  the  most  be  in  favour  of  persons  who  are  not 
capable  of  <lishonouring  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  and  of  disgusting 
those  who  join  in  it :  for  this  is  a  censure  which  we  do  not  hesitate  to  lay 
on  the  conduct  which  Iras  been  referred  to. 


359 

From  worship  we  proceed  to  discipline.  And  here  we  wish  our  cle^ 
rical  and  our  lay  brethren  to  be  aware,  as,  on  one  hand  of  the  responsi- 
bility under  which  we  lie ;  so,  on  the  other,  of  tlie  caution  whicli  justice 
and  impartiality  require.  The  church  has  made  provision,  for  the  de- 
gradation of  unworthy  clergymen.  It  is  for  us  to  suppose  that  there  are 
none  of  that  description,  Hutil  the  contrary  is  made  known  to  us  in  our 
respective  places,  in  the  manner  which  the  canons  have  prescribed  : 
And  if  the  contrary  to  what  we  wish  is  in  any  instance  to  be  found,  it 
lies  on  you,  our  clerical  and  lay  brethren,  to  present  such  faulty  con- 
duct; althoiish  with  due  regard  to  proof ;  and,  above  all,  in  a  temper 
which  shows  the  impelling  motive  to  be  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  sanc- 
tity of  the  reputation  of  his  church. 

While  we  are  not  conscious  of  any  bias,  which,  under  an  official  call, 
would  prevent  the  conscientious  discharge  of  duty;  we  wish  to  be  expli- 
cit in  making  known  to  all,  that  we  think  it  due  to  God  and  to  his  church, 
to  avoid  whatever  may  sanction  assumed  power,  however  desirable  the 
end  to  which  it  may  be  directed.  We  have  at  least  as  weighty  reasons 
to  restrain  us  from  judging  without  enquiry,  and  from  censuring  without 
evidence  of  crime.  These  are  ends,  to  which  men  of  impetuous  spirits 
would  sometimes  draw.  But  we  would  rather  subject  ourselves  to  the 
charge  of  indifference,  however  little  merited,  than  be  the  mean  of  es- 
tablishing precedents,  giving  to  slander  an  advantage,  against  which  no 
innocence  can  be  a  shield  ;  and  leaving  to  no  man  a  security  either  of 
interest  or  of  reputation.  Although  we  have  no  reason  to  complain,  that 
sentiments  in  contrariety  to  these  prevail  among  us  to  any  considerable 
extent;  yet  we  freely  deliver  our  sentiments  on  the  subject,  in  order  to 
give  us  an  opportunity  of  calling  on  all  wise  and  good  men — and  we 
shall  not  call  on  them  in  vain — to  aid  us  in  resisting,  wherever  it  may 
appear,  that  mischievous  spirit  which  confounds  right  and  wrong,  in 
judging  of  the  characters  and  of  the  rights  of  others. 

We  should  not  discharge  our  consciences,  could  we  be  on  this  part  of 
the  subject,  without  declaring  unequivocally  our  hope,  that  the  time 
will  come,  when  there  shall  not  be  acknowledged,  even  as  nominally 
of  our  society,  any  person  of  an  immoral  life  and  conversation.  We 
are  not  unapprized  of  the  property  of  the  christian  church,  stamped  on 
it  by  the  hand  of  its  holy  author,  that  it  was  to  comprehend  the  oppo- 
site characters  of  good  and  bad,  until  the  appointed  time  of  an  eternal 
separation.  But  this,  as  is  evident,  relates  to  the  hearts  of  men,  which 
cannot  be  known  to  one  another.  Every  notorious  sinner,  is  a  scandal 
to  the  church  of  Christ ;  although  he  may  be  less  guilty  in  the  sight  of 
God  than  some  hypocrite,  whose  depravity  lies  concealed  within  her 
pale.  Still  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  there  is  no  christian  work 
more  full  of  embarrassment,  than  the  one  here  referred  to  :  And  we 
freely  confess,  that  it  were  better  left  undone  for  ever,  than  to  be  ac- 
complished at  Ihe  expense  of  the  violation  of  impartiality,  much  more 
of  the  gratification  of  malice.  Still,  the  presenting  of  this  object  to  your 
view,  is  what  the  integrity  of  the  christian  economy  requires  of  us.  Un- 
til it  can  be  brought  about,  let  us  at  least  fence  the  table  of  the  liOrd, 
from  the  unhallowed  approach  of  every  ungodly  liver.  And  while  we 
address  this  admonition  especially  to  our  brethren  of  the  clergy,  we 
rejoice  in  the  conviction,  that  there  is  no  part  of  their  duty  which  they 
can  execute,  if  it  be  done  with  a  good  conscience  and  with  prudence,  to 
the  more  entire  satisfaction  of  the  people  generally.  For  there  are  few, 
perhaps  none,  disposed  to  tolerate  the  profanation  of  an  ordinance,  of 
which  there  is,  on  the  part  of  so  many,  a  neglect. 


360 

But  while  we  thus  admonish  our  brethren  of  the  ministry  to  guard 
against  the  profanation  of  the  euchariat,  we  ought  not  to  lose  the  oppor- 
tunity of  exhorting  them  to  increase  the  number  of  the  attendants  on  it, 
as  by  all  proper  means,  so  especially,  by  opening  the  nature  of  the 
apostolic  rite  of  confirmation,  and  by  persuading  to  an  observance  of  it. 
Were  it  aa  institution  of  human  origin,  we  should  admire  it  for  its  ten- 
dency to  impress,  on  persons  advancing  to  maturity,  a  sense  of  obliga- 
tions resting  on  them,  independently  on  their  consent,  in  this  ordinance 
voluntarily  given.  But  we  remind  our  brethren,  knowing  that  they  agree 
with  us  in  the  opinion,  that  it  was  ordained  and  practised  by  the  apos- 
tles of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  and  that  in  the  ages  imme- 
diately subsequent  to  the  age  of  the  apostles^  it  was  one  of  the  means 
of  exciting  to  the  sublime  virtue  which  adorned  them.  Let  us  remem- 
ber that  the  same  grace,  first  given  in  baptismal  regeneration,  is  increas- 
ed and  strengthened  by  confirmation.  And  let  us  extend  the  use  of  this 
holy  and  apostolic  rite,  as  one  of  the  first  principles  of  the  christian  re- 
ligion, and  a  great  mean  of  leading  on  towards  that  perfection  of  chris- 
tian morals,  which  is  its  object. 

When  we  look  back  on  the  subjects  of  this  address,  we  find  ourselves 
impelled,  by  their  united  force,  to  direct  our  attention  to  an  object  deep- 
ly interesting  to  us,  as  members  of  the  episcopal  church,  of  the  catholic 
church  at  large,  and  of  civil  society,  with  a  due  regard  to  its  prosperity 
and  its  peace.  What  we  mean,  is  the  taking  of  our  share  of  the  work  of 
extending  christian  preaching  and  worship  to  the  states  recently  risen, 
and  to  those  still  rising,  within  our  federal  republic.  It  is  an  effect  of 
*he  civil  privileges  which  we  enjoy,  and  of  the  honourable  exertions 
which  they  prompt,  that  useless  forests  become  changed  to  cultivated 
fields,  and  that  the  reign  of  science  and  civilization  supplant  that  of  ig- 
fjorance  and  barbarism.  But  this  will  be  far  from  an  addition  to  the 
stock  of  human  happiness,  if,  on  such  improvement,  there  be  entailed 
the  effect  of  a  population  let  loose  from  the  restraints  of  religion  ;  with- 
out which,  the  most  estimable  refinements  of  society  only  make  men 
the  more  ferocious,  and  the  more  mischievous  (o  one  another.  We  have, 
however,  no  considerable  apprehension  that  this  will  be  the  result.  The 
progressive  property  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer,  stamped  on  it  by 
ilia  own  unerring  hand  ;  and,  harmonizing  with  this,  the  consent  of  pro- 
phecy, as  well  under  the  law  as  under  the  gospel ;  make  us  believe  the 
contrary  :  and,  on  the  ground  of  the  designs  of  Providence,  disclosed 
in  scripture,  we  look  forward  to  the  time  when,  over  the  whole  extent 
of  the  regions  beyond  us,  there  shall  ascend  to  heaven  the  inCense  of 
evangelical  prayer  and  praise ;  and  there  shall  be  presented  the  peace- 
offering  of  the  commemorative  sacrifice  of  the  passion  of  the  Redeemer. 
But  while  we  rejoice  in  all  suitable  means  conducted  with  a  view  to  this 
end.  Under  any  systems,  not  so  agreeable  as  we  suppose  our  own  to 
Ihe  word  of  God,  we  are  urged  to  an  extension  of  thelatter,  by  every 
consideration  which  is  an  evidence  to  us  of  its  superior  usefulness.  If, 
in  reference  to  those  regions  spoken  of,  there  be  wanting  any  further  in- 
ducement to  a  compliance  with  this  gospel  call,  we  may  remind  you  of 
some  extravagances  which  we  have  heard  of  as  there  prevalent ;  assum- 
ing the  name  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  but  alien  from  i(s  blessed  nature  ; 
and  tending,  as  we  presume  to  say  from  observation  of  the  same  cause, 
and  its  effects  more  within  the  spheres  of  our  observation,  eventually  to 
increase  that  infidelity,  which  wages  open  war  on  whatever  piety  holds 
sacred,  and  which  is  covertly  pernicious  to  whatever  humanity  has  rea- 


361   . 

son  to  esteem.  During  the  present  session,  our  minds  have  been  much 
impressed  by  a  sense  of  what  is  due  from  us  to  our  western  brethren, 
and  especially  to  those  of  them  professing  themselves  of  our  commu- 
nion. We  wish  to  extend  to  them  the  episcopacy  and  the  celebration 
of  the  worship  of  this  church :  And  we  invite  all  our  brethren  now  ad- 
dressed to  aid  us  in  the  accomplishment  of  these  objects  j  and,  until  it 
shall  be  found  practicable  to  avail  themselves  of  any  opportunities  oc- 
curring, to  encourage  the  settlement  of  suitable  ministers  of  this  church, 
who  may  be  disposed  to  remove  from  the  elder  states,  into  that  vast 
field  of  labour.  And  we  further  invite  ministers  and  other  members  of 
our  communion,  who  may  be  already  seated  in  those  districts,  to  aid 
us  in  carrying  our  purposes  into  effect;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  if  it  be 
practicable,  to  make  such  internal  organizations  as  may  conduce  to  it. 

But,  brethren,  we  wish  it  to  be  understood,  in  what  we  have  brought 
before  you,  relative  to  doctrine,  to  worship,  and  to  discipline,  that  it  is 
all  with  a  view  to  practice,  in  order  to  call  on  and  intreatyou,  as  a  reli- 
gious body,  "  to  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  you  are  called;" 
illustrating  the  evangelic  properties  of  your  religious  system,  in  its  be- 
ing seen  to  be  productive  of  a  religious  life  and  conversation.  The  cler- 
gy, in  particular,  we  exhort  to  remember  the  holy  walking  attached  to 
the  heavenly  designation  of  their  ministry,  and  with  this  their  own  as- 
sent, in  the  promises  made  by  them  at  ordination,  to  the  responsibility 
in  which  they  stand.  And  we  remind  the  laity,  that,  in  respect  to  the 
obligation  of  christian  morals,  there  is  no  difference  of  extent  over  the 
different  orders  in  the  church,  whatever  aggravation  there  be  of  delin- 
quency in  some,  in  consequence  of  the  especial  obligations  which  they 
have  assumed. 

In  thus  exciting  you  to  christian  virtue,  we  find  ourselves  drawn  to 
the  contemplating  of  it,  in  an  alliance  with  the  more  conspicuous  rela- 
tions in  which  the  providence  of  God  has  placed  you. 

And,  first,  when  we  consider  you  as  citizens,  and  in  relation  to  the 
state,  we  exhort  you  not  to  view  your  character  in  this  respect,  as  if  it 
were  unconnected  with  christian  obligation  ;  not  only  that  which  Chris- 
tianity enjoins,  under  all  circumstances,  of  submission  to  law  and  go- 
Ternment,  and  of  reverence  of  those  who  are  cloalhed  with  its  authori- 
ties; but  also  the  temperate  exercise  of  the  rights  provided  for  bj^  the 
Hberal  genius  of  the  constitutions  under  which  we  live.  It  is  a  property 
of  the  course  of  divine  Providence,  that  there  can  be  no  temporal  mer- 
cy of  heaven,  without  the  attendant  danger  of  its  being  abused  by  u?,  to 
our  moral  loss ;  which  should  be  an  admonition  to  us,  in  resi>ect  to  the 
civil  privileges  which  we  enjoy,  not  to  exert  them  iu  such  a  manner,  as 
to  add  to  the  mass  of  inordinate  ambition,  of  fierce  contention,  anil  of 
intemperate  revilings,  by  which  Ave  observe  the  concerns  of  the  caui- 
monweallh  dishonoured,  and  her  peace  occasionally  disturbed.  If  pro- 
vision for  the  public  weal  must  necessarily  open  a  field,  on  which  the 
worst  passions  of  human  nature  are  to  (hsplay  (hemselves  in  all  their 
enormity  and  outrage,  let  them  be  exclusively  characteristic  of  those 
who  live  professedly  without  God  in  the  v.orUl ;  being  as  nmcli  lost  to 
the  forms  of  piety,  as  they  are  strangers  to  its  s|>irit.  Then  will  they 
of  a  contrary  chai^cter,  in  the  more  reasonable  exercise  of  privilege, 
hold  out  a  standing  protest  against  the  licentiousness  which  irreligion  be- 
gets and  fosters ;  while  there  will  also  thus  be  moderated  the  unhappy 
effects  resulting  from  it.  And  if,  under  this  call  to  an  holy  care,  lying 
on  all  professors  of  Christianity,  differing  as  they  do  in  the  forms  of  their 

3  A 


362 

profession,  it  should  appear  of  our  church  in  particular,  that  her  sons, 
in  proportion  to  their  subjection  to  the  duties  of  devotion  which  she 
enjoins  on  them,  are  also  obsei'vant  of  the  duties,  of  which  the  objects 
are,  the  peace  of  society,  the  safety  of  the  state,  and  the  faithful  admi- 
nistration of  law  and  justice  ;  there  will  result  from  it  no  inconsiderable 
presumption,  that  their  principles  bear  on  themselves  the  evidences  of 
having  had  their  origin  in  divine  illumination. 

If  in  your  several  relative  situations  of  a  civil  nature,  there  be  a  de- 
mand for  the  forbearance  and  the  charity  which  have  been  recommend- 
ed, how  much  more  evidently  are  the  same  exacted  by  your  respective 
standings  in  the  church  of  God  ;  which  was  founded  on  a  new  law  of 
love ;  and  of  which  one  of  the  most  illustrious  properties  is  the  "  keeping 
of  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace !"  In  this  line,  also,  we 
blame  no  man  for  maintaining  his  just  claims,  or  for  expressing  his 
opinions  on  subjects  which  are  within  its  sphere.  But  we  blame  him, 
if,  in  the  exercise  of  these  his  rights,  he  break  loose  from  the  restraints 
of  the  wisdom  from  above ;  of  which  we  are  told  that  it  is  "  first  pure, 
then  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated."  When  in  the  line  of 
right,  and  even  in  that  of  duty,  there  is  so  much  of  "  the  wrath  of  man," 
which  "  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God,"  how  much  more  distant 
should  every  christian  keep  himself  from  that  contentious  spirit,  which 
seeks  occasion  to  excite  and  to  foment  division ;  which  so  conceives 
of  its  own  privilege  to  think  and  speak,  as  to  leave  no  liberty  elsewhere 
to  do  the  same ;  and  which  is  impatient  of  all  government,  except  such 
as  is  vested  in  itself,  or  which  it  can  over-rule!  Be  assured,  brethren, 
of  the  love  of  strife,  wherever  it  shows  its  head,  that  it  falls  under  that 
censure  of  holy  writ — "This  wisdom  descendeth  not  from  above,  but 
is  earthly,  sensual,  devilish."  Much  more  consistent  would  it  be,  to 
deny  the  existence  of  the  church  of  Christ,  as  a  social  body,  divinely 
instituted,  than  to  imagine  it  divested  of  the  properties  found  ttf  belong 
to  society,  in  all  the  variety  of  its  forms;  and  to  suppose  that  in  this 
instance,  although  in  no  other,  the  individual  is  left  to  govern  himself, 
and  to  incommode  others,  according  to  his  own  opinion  or  caprice. 

While  we  are  thus  inviting  your  attention  to  the  duties  attached  to 
your  church-membership,  it  may,  perhaps,  be  expected  that  we  should 
dwell  on  the  magnitude  of  some  objects  which  require  expense.  But  we 
wave  all  particular  discussion,  at  the  present^  of  matters  of  this  sort.  It 
is  not,  however,  that  we  conceive  of  reasonable  pecuniary  contribution, 
as  any  other  than  a  christian  duty  ;  in  the  extent,  not  only  of  the  provi- 
sions essential  to  public  worship,  but  also  of  those  which  make  it  vene- 
rable and  comely.  And  indeed,  it  is  a  duty  especially  incumbent  in  a 
country  of  increasing  population,  which,  of  course,  frequently  exacts 
contributions  for  new  houses  of  worship  and  new  provisions  for  their 
support.  But  we  put  these  things  out  of  view,  because  of  a  persuasion 
in  our  minds,  that  the  true  mean  of  accomplishing  the  end,  is  the  pos- 
sessing of  men  with  an  adequate  sense  of  the  uses  for  which  such 
accommodations  are  designed.  For  if  any  one  feel  the  weight  of  the 
obligations  of  Christianity  on  his  conscience,  and  the  erlivening  influence 
of  its  consolations  on  his  hopes,  and,  at  the  same  time,  be  sensible  how 
much  the  welfare  of  civil  society  and  of  families  require  the  restraints 
OB  passion,  and  the  incitements  to  virtue,  which  the  gospel  only  can 
supply,  and  which  nothing  but  its  authenticity  can  sustain,  there  will  be 
no  danger  of  his  hesitating  to  give  of  his  substance,  according  as  God, 
in  his  bounty,  may  have  bestowed  on  him.     And  there  is  no  instance, 


363 

im  which  God's  protecting  and  perpetuating  of  his  church  has  been  more 
eonspicuously  displayed,  than  in  his  thus  disposing  of  his  professiiig  peo- 
ple to  contribute  to  her  according  as  her  exigencies  have  required.  Yes, 
brethren,  let  us,  in  the  rearing  of  our  spiritual  fabric,  reject  the  unlem- 
pered  mortar  of  wordly  policy  and  of  passion  in  every  shape  which  it 
may  put  on,  and  we  need  not  fear  the  failure  of  the  outward  means,  by 
which  Christ's  kingdom  is  to  be  made  visible  on  earth ;  until  it  shall 
exchange  its  properties  in  this  respect,  for  those  of  a  better  kingdom  in 
the  Heavens. 

Finally  ;  in  regard  to  domestic  and  personal  conduct,  we  desire  to  be 
considered  as  addressing  ourselves  to  every  individual  of  you  in  parti- 
cular, and  as  admonishing  that  individual  to  act  under  the  influence  of 
the  christian  name ;  to  remember,  that  even  so  far  as  the  good  of  the 
church  is  involved  in  the  conduct  of  its  members,  no  zeal  in  her  cause, 
and  no  apparent  services  in  support  of  it,  can  balance  the  disgrace  brought 
On  her  by  a  licentious  life ;  and  yet,  that  the  responsibility  created  by  a 
religious  profession  towards  man,  is  but  an  image  of  the  higher  responsi- 
bility, which  it  increases  towards  the  King  of  the  whole  earth  ;  wh  j,  in 
the  sentence  which  he  will  at  last  pronounce  on  the  barren  and  false  pro- 
fessor, may  well  say,  with  a  I'eference  to  the  inconsistency  between  his 
profession  and  his  practice — "  Out  of  thine  own  mouth  will  I  judg^ 
thee,  thou  wicked  servant." 

But  we  do  not  dwell  on  dissuasives  from  immoralities,  which  are  a 
disgrace  to  Christianity,  when  there  is  before  us  the  more  pleasing  duty 
of  inciting  you  to  the  graces  and  to  the  works  by  which  it  may  be  adorn- 
ed. It  is  by  the  being  faithful  and  affectionate  in  the  relations  of  husband 
and  wife ;  the  being  kind  and  provident  on  one  hand,  and  dutiful  and 
grateful  on  the  other,  in  those  of  parent  and  child;  and  the  being  in  the 
exercise  of  justice  and  of  mercy  from  masters  to  their  servants,  and  of 
fidelity  and  obedience  from  these  to  them,  it  is  further,  by  righteous 
and  equitable  dealings  in  all  those  intercourses  with  our  fellow  men,  in 
which  there  are  so  many  temptations  of  rapacity  impelling  to  wrong,  and 
so  much  influence  of  self  to  seduce  to  it  under  the  appearance  of  right ; 
in  addition  to  these  things,  it  is  by  the  being  liberal  to  the  poor,  in  con- 
tributing a  full  proportion  to  the  tax  laid  by  Providence  on  those  who 
have,  in  favour  of  those  who  want,  for  the  relief  of  misery  in  all  the 
variety  of  its  forms  ;  and  finally,  it  is  by  the  government  of  the  appetites, 
those  foes  of  the  household,  which,  unless  subdued  by  religion's  all 
conquering  power,  breed  conflict  within,  and  very  often,  impatient  of  the 
restraints  of  considerations  from  any  other  source,  break  forth  into  deeds 
of  disorder  and  big  with  temporal  ruin ;  it  is,  brethren,  by  such  a  disci- 
pline in  all  its  branches,  that  there  must  be  felt  the  energy  of  a  religion, 
which  is  described  to  us  as  "  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation." 

But,  Brethren,  the  only  way  in  which  that  power  can  be  efiectual,  is 
in  holiness  of  heart,  under  the  operation  of  the  divine  Spirit,  known  no 
otherwise,  than  by  the  precious  fruits  which  it  produces.  Independent- 
ly on  the  grace  of  God,  through  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  our 
desires  and  our  pursuits,  besides  being  productive  of  guilt  and  misery  in 
their  progress,  look  no  further  than  to  the  objects  of  the  present  world; 
the  very  shadow  of  which  is  daily  passing  away  from  us.  Whatever  ele^ 
vates  our  minds  with  an  hope  full  of  immortality,  much  more  whatever 
prepares  us  for  it  by  transifoiming  us  to  the  image  of  him  who  is  "the  pat- 
tern of  all  goodness,  and  righteousness,  and  truth,"  can  come  from  nothing 
else,  as  we  are  assured  in  ?cripture,  tban  from  his  own  holy  influence. 


364 

which  must  be  cuUiva(ed  by  devotion,  and  carried  into  effect  by  a  conti- 
nual "pressing  forward  to  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling." 

That  this  grace,  freely  bestowed  on  all,  may  be  improved  by  all,  to 
our  comfort  in  the  present  life,  and  to  the  consummation  of  our  happiness 
in  Heaven,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  those  who  fill  the  episcopacy  of  this 
Church.  And,  with  this  assurance,  we  commend  ourselves  to  the  pray- 
ers of  all  her  members. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  in    General  Convention,  at 
Baltimore,  May  23,  1808. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop. 
Attested  by 

JAMES  WHITEHEAD,  Secretary. 


(NO.  II.) 
A 

PASTORAL  LETTER 

TO  THE 

CLERGY  AND  LAITY 

OF  THE 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

IN   THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

FROM    THE 

HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS  OF  SAID  CHURCH, 

ASSBMBLED   tS 


AT  NEW  HAVEN,  CONNECTICUT, 
.   MAY,  AD,  181? . 


A  PASTORAL  LETTER,  &c. 

BaETHREN, 

BEING  assembled  in  general  convention  of  our  church,  we  evUf 
brace  the  opportunity  of  once  more  inviting  your  attention  to  her  con- 
cerns. 

In  our  former  address,  we  held  up  to  your  view  the  leading  principles 
of  our  communion  in  doctrine,  discipline  and  worship;  exhnrtina;  to  a 
steady  maintenance  of  the  profession  of  them;  and,  above  aii,  to  a  ma- 
nifesting of  their  holy  influence  on  practice.  Whatever  weight  may  be 
supposed  to  have  attached  to  the  important  considerations  then  urged ; 
we  refer  to  the  subjects,  in  order  to  continue  and  perpetuate  any  salu- 
tary impression  which  may  have  been  made  by  them.  But  not  going 
again  over  the  ground  of  the  same  topics;  we  shall  at  this  time  confine 
our  attention  to  some  matters,  which  especially  produce  an  intercourse 
between  us,  and  both  our  clerical  and  lay  brethren,  within  the  depart- 
ment of  the  episcopacy. 

The  first  matter  which  we  have  to  mention — and  this  we  address  ex- 
clusively to  the  clergy — is  tlie  duty  lying  on  them,  of  making  to  their 
respective  Bishops,  and  where  there  are  no  Bishops,  to  the  different 
standing  committees,  reports  on  the  subjects  specified  by  the  45th  ca- 
non, thus  qualifying  the  conventions  in  the  different  states,  to  make  the 
reports  exacted  of  them  by  the  same  canon,  to  the  general  convention. 
The  imperfection  of  the  latter  description  of  reports,  manifests  too 
clearly  the  inattention  in  some  places  to  the  requisition,  and  defeats  in 
a  great  measure  the  design  of  it.  If  the  object  should  be  thought  by  any 
unimportant ;  we  do  not  hesitate  to  express  our  belief,  that  a  continued 
series  of  the  documents  demanded  gives  more  aid,  towards  forming  a 
judgment  of  the  progress  or  the  decline  of  religion  in  different  places, 
than  some  species  of  accounts  which  might  be  given  with  the  like  in* 
tent ;  but  which  would  be  affected  by  a  temporary  interest  taken  in  reli- 
gion, and  not  producing  any  permanent  effects.  What  occasions  the  de- 
fault here  complained  of  to  be  the  more  lamented  by  us,  is  the  cause 
which  it  gives  to  apprehend,  that  there  are  not  every  where  kejrt  records 
of  the  transactions,  of  which  the  returns  are  to  be  made.  The  keeping 
of  those  records  is  exacted  of  the  clergy,  independently  on  the  objects 
of  the  canon  referred  to  ;  and  is  occasionally  of  so  much  consequence  to 
the  fortune  •,  and  in  some  instances  to  the  reputation  of  individuals,  that 
we  do  not  know  hov/  any  clergyman,  negligent  in  this  particular,  can  an- 
swer for  it  to  God  and  to  society.  But  even  if  he  be  punctual  in  the  dis- 
charge of  this  part  of  his  duty,  he  ought  to  suppose,  that  if  his  Bishop  and 
his  other  brethren  interest  themselves  in  the  success  of  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel,  they  will  wish  to  know,  and  it  is  reasonable  they  should 
know,  what  is  the  state  of  it  within  his  cure. 

The  next  subject  on  which  we  address  you,  is  the  preparing  and  the 
presenting  of  young  persons  and  others,  for  the  holy  rite  of  confirma- 
tion. It  is  matter  of  grief  to  us,  although  we  trust  it  is  sufficiently  ac- 
counted for  by  the  extent  of  our  dioceses,  and  by  our  known  engage-, 
ments,  that  this  apostolic  ordinance  cannot  be  carried,  under  present 
circumstances,  to  all  the  churches  under  onr  respective  superintend- 
ence. In  regard  to  those  within  our  reach  ;  it  has  not  been  unobserved 
by  us,  how  7eaIoi!?  K.iul  how  pucces'-ful  some  of  the  clergy  have  been, 


367 

'm  aiding  our  effort*  in  thia  branch  of  the  episcopacy;  and  e*'en  io  Boli- 
citing  our  visits  to  their  respective  churches,  with  a  view  to  it.  And  it' 
the  same  cannot  be  affirmed  of  all  our  reverend  brethren  ;  we  are  aware, 
that,  in  some  instances,  it  may  have  been  less  owing  to  inditierence  and 
neglect,  than  to  the  ditticulty  of  introducing  a  practice,  which,  until 
within  these  few  5'ear3,  was  unknown  in  this  country  ;  however  in  itself 
coeval  with  our  holy  religion.  Although  the  source  from  which  it  has 
descended  to  us,  as  a  mean  of  grace,  appears  to  our  minds  a  sufficient 
reason  for  the  upholding  of  it ;  yet  our  desire  of  this  is  much  increased, 
by  remarking  its  practical  utility;  in  designating  a  time,  when  it  becomes 
especially  proper  to  call  the  attention  of  young  persons  advancing  to 
maturity,  to  a  weight  of  obligation  which  lies  on  them,  independently 
on  any  act  of  theirs ;  but  the  pressure  of  which  they  are  the  more  likely 
to  feel  in  succeeding  life,  in  consequence  of  their  assenting  to  promises 
which  had  been  before  made  by  others  in  their  names. 

We  combine  with  this,  its  kindred  and  instrumental  subject  of  cateche- 
tical instruction ;  addressing  what  is  to  be  said  concerning  it,  as  well  to 
those  who  have  not,  as  to  those  of  the  clergy  who  have  the  opportunity 
of  presenting  the  members  of  their  congregations  for  confirmation.  We 
think  it  no  small  branch  of  the  utility  of  this  rite,  that  it  gives  additional 
calls  to  a  species  of  instruction  which  is  very  important,  but  in  danger 
of  being  neglected.  For  while  what  are  known  under  the  name  of  ser- 
mons have  at  their  command  a  great  variety  of  matter,  calculated  to 
display  any  talents  possessed  by  the  preacher,  and  to  gratify  the  curio- 
sity of  the  hearers,  there  is  nothing  of  this  in  the  humble  office  of  cate- 
chetical instruction ;  in  which,  he  who  gives  it  must  be  content  to  re- 
peat the  same  truths  over  and  over,  in  the  same  or  nearly  the  same 
form  ;  accommodating  himself  to  that  saying  of  the  prophet  Isaiah — • 
*'  Line  upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept."  And  yet  observation  may 
abundantly  convince  any  one,  how  much  this  is  wanted  by  very  many  ; 
who,  although  intelligent  and  informed  in  other  matters,  are  incompe- 
tent to  the  giving  of  a  statement  of  the  evidences,  either  of  the  christian 
religion  generally,  or  of  the  doctrines  of  it  as  professed  by  the  church 
in  which  they  have  been  born  and  educated.  Were  we  suspicious  in  re- 
gard to  the  soundness  of  her  principles,  we  should  be  less  solicitous  in 
this  matter.  But  believing  them  to  be  evangelical  and  rational ;  we 
wish,  that  there  may  be  more  generally  invited  to  them  the  attention  of 
those,  who  do  not  esteem  themselves  too  wise  to  receive  instruction  in 
this  line.  It  cannot  but  occur,  that  in  the  discharge  of  such  duty,  it  is 
desirable  there  should  be  shown  the  reasons  of  the  decisions  of  our 
•  church,  on  points  concerning  which  we  differ  from  other  bodies  of  pro- 
fessing christians.  But  in  saying  this,  we  should  be  misunderstood,  if 
supposed  to  wish  the  duty  performed  in  the  spirit  of  uncharitableness. 
The  greatest  possible  distance  from  this,  we  hold  to  be  consistent  with 
the  most  determitied  attachment  to  what  we  receive  as  truths  delivered 
to  us  by  the  divine  author  of  our  religion,  and  his  apostles  ;  and  with  a 
temperate  zeal  to  defend  and  to  recommend  them. 

It  is  evident  of  the  duty  here  stated  as  lying  on  the  clergy,  that  it  im- 
plies a  correspondent  duty  to  lie  on  our  brethren  of  the  laity,  to  aid  this 
very  powerful  mean  of  giving  religious  instruction,  and  of  impressing  re- 
ligious truth.  The  least  that  can  be  expected  of  heads  of  families,  is  to 
send  the  younger  and  the  less  informed  members  of  them,  to  profit  by 
any  opportunities  of  this  sort  which  may  be  offered.  But  they  have  il 
in  their  power  to  do  much  more,  by  adding  the  sanction  of  tlieir  autho- 


368 

rity  and  their  persuasion,  to  whatever  may  be  Usefully  delivered.  Aud 
here  vire  cannot  lose  the  opportunity  of  making  the  remark,  that  it  tends 
strongly  to  show  the  importance  of  "  adorning  the  gospel  of  our  God 
and  Saviour  in  all  things;"  when  it  is  considered,  that  those  heads  of  fa- 
milies who  are  notoriously  deficient  in  the  performance  of  their  rehgious 
duties,  however  their  judgments  may  approve  of  sending  those  depen- 
dent on  them  to  opportunities  of  instruction,  naturally  indulge  indisposi- 
tion to  a  duty;  in  complying  with  which,  they  cannot  but  feel  the  sting 
of  censure  on  themselves. 

We  further  address  both  our  clerical  and  o.ur  lay  brethren,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  recommendation  of  candidates  for  holy  orders.  As  our  ca- 
nons now  stand,  the  recommendations  come  to  us  through  the  medium 
of  committees  in  the  different  states,  who  must  be  previously  satisfied, 
either  from  personal  knowledge,  or  by  documents  laid  before  them. 
Althoi/j^h  we  have  too  many  opportunities  of  knowing,  that  a  considera- 
ble portion  of  the  community  are  easily  brought  to  testify  what  is  not 
within  their  knowledge,  and  even  what  is  contrary  to  it ;  yet  we  have  no 
reason  to  doubt  of  the  discrimination  made  by  the  committees,  as  to  the 
characters  on  whom  they  place  reliance.  But  what  we  have  to  recom- 
mend to  their  particular  attention  on  this  point,  is  the  responsibihty  at- 
tached to  the  circumstance,  that  they  think  the  person  recommended 
fit  to  be  admitted  to  the  order  for  which  he  is  a  candidate.  It  is  evident 
that  their  opinion,  thus  expressed,  ought  to  rest  on  rational  ground  ; 
and  that  to  constitute  this,  the  party's  being  unimpeached  as  to  his  mo- 
ral character,  and  his  being  possessed  of  a  reasonable  stock  of  learning, 
is  not  sufficient.  In  addition  to  these  qualifications,  his  habits  should 
evidence  a  spirit  of  piety,  a  disposition  to  the  exercises  of  devotion,  and 
zeal  for  the  extending  of  the  influence  of  rehgious  truth  and  duty.  The 
want  of  these  properties  of  character,  is  radical  unfitness:  and  there- 
fore, what  we  recommend  to  influential  members  of  our  communion, 
and  especially  to  our  clerical  brethren,  is,  that  they  avail  themselves  of 
opportunities  to  discourse  with  candidates  for  the  ministry,  on  the  qua- 
lifications of  inward  character  suited  to  it;  and  particularly,  as  describ- 
ed in  the  promises  exacted  by  the  services  of  ordination.  In  this  way, 
it  is  possible  to  accomplish,  in  a  degree  at  least,  the  object  aimed  at  by 
those,  who  advocate  the  making  of  the  movements  of  the  party's  mind 
a  subject  of  formal  enquiry  in  his  examination.  It  is  well  known,  that 
our  church  carefully  avoids  every  thing  of  this  sort ;  as  not  answering  its 
professed  end,  but  producing  unintended  evils.  It  does  not  follow,  that 
she  lays  little  stress,  or  rather,  that  she  does  not  lay  the  greatest  stress 
of  all,  on  the  influence  of  divine  grace  over  the  heart.  And  therefore, 
where  this  is  wanting,  it  will  be  a  deserving  well  of  the  church,  and  even 
of  the  party,  to  suggest  to  him  reflections  which  shall  have  a  tendency 
to  induce  him  to  reconsider  and  finally  relinquish  his  rash  design,  of  en- 
gaging in  a  work  to  which  he  is  not  truly  called,  however  he  may  de- 
clare his  thinking  that  he  is  so,  before  God  and  the  church ;  as  is  re- 
quired of  him  in  the  service. 

It  will  not  be  foreign  to  the  subject,  if  we  intreat  our  brethren  of  the 
clergy  to  bestow  pains,  as  opportunity  may  serve,  in  attention  to  the 
course  of  reading  of  candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  in  advising  them 
concerning  it ;  so  as  the  more  to  secure  their  preparation.  Our  church 
is  not  possessed  of  any  public  provisions,  which  will  enable  learned  di- 
vines to  devote  themselves  to  this  department  of  Instruction.  We  con- 
v:eive,  however,  that  when  a  good  foundation  has  been  laid  in  the  learned 


369 

languages,  and  in  general  science ;  this  deficiency  may  be  in  a  great 
measure  supplied  by  well  qualified  ministers,  in  their  respeclive 
cures:  and  we  invite  their  attention  to  the  subject,  from  onr  earnest  de- 
sire of  recommending  and  of  doing  whatever  promises  to  aid  in  the 
securing  of  a  learned  ministry.  We  are  aware,  that  as  St.  Paul  com- 
pared even  miraculous  endowments  without  chanty,  to  "  sounding  brass 
and  a  tinkling  cymbal ;"  the  same  may  be  said  with  still  more  evident 
propriety,  of  all  possible  learning,  as  well  in  theology  as  in  philosophy; 
without  that  grace  of  God  which  alone  can  render  them  subservient  to 
his  glory.  On  the  other  hand,  the  effects  of  manifest  literary  defi<'icncy 
in  a  clergyman,  are  too  obvious  to  be  overlooked.  It  tends  to  drive 
some  of  the  intelligent  and  well  informed  members  of  our  church  to 
other  societies,  who  may  be  more  attentive  to  the  qualifications  for  the 
ministry  in  this  respect ;  and  to  detach  others  from  all  religious  profes- 
sion ;  which  tends  to  the  increase  of  irreligion  and  infidelity.  Even  per- 
sons who  may  be  but  imperfectly  qualified  to  judge  of  the  attainments  of 
Hieir  ministers,  become  alienated  from  them  by  their  reputation  for  in- 
sufficiency. 

We  avail  ourselves  of  this  opportunity,  to  make  a  solemn  call  on  both 
clergy  and  laity,  to  put  in  our  power,  as  circumstances  may  enable,  to 
cany  into  effect  the  official  authority  vested  in  us,  for  the  relieving  of 
our  church  from  the  scandal  of  any  minister — if  there  be  any  such — 
who  may  dishonour  his  calling  by  an  immoral,  or  an  irreligious  life  and 
conversation.  Wherever  the  evil  may  exist,  the  canons  are  competent 
to  "  the  putting  away  from  ourselves  of  that  wicked  person.'*  We  are 
far  from  the  wish  of  becoming  ourselves,  or  of  encouraging  others  to 
become  inquisitors  ;  and  much  less  of  hazarding  the  being  false  accus- 
ers. But  where  reports  are  confident,  and  said  to  be  sustained  by  facts; 
as,  on  the  one  hand,  justice  both  to  the  church  and  to  the  individual  re- 
quires the  purging  of  character  from  infamy  ;  so.  on  the  other  hand,  there 
is  no  consideration  conducing  to  the  success  of  the  gospel  ministry, 
which  does  not  loudly  call  for  the  cutting  off  from  it  of  every  minister, 
whose  evil  manners  counteract  its  very  design.  And  we  do  not  hesitate  to 
say,  that  those  of  his  brethren  who  do  not  discountenance  his  irregulari- 
ties, counteract  by  such  indifference,  in  their  private  deportment,  the 
effect  of  any  instructions  and  exhortations  which  thej'  may  deliver  from 
the  pulpit.  It  is  to  little  purpose,  that  an  offender  is  severed  from  a  con- 
gregation, if  he  be  sent  to  dishonour  the  communion  elsewhere.  Its 
not  being  done  canonically,  and  as  an  effective  removal  from  the  mi- 
nistry itself,  is  one  of  the  impediments  to  the  establishing  of  a  consistent 
system  of  discipline.  We  are  persuaded,  that  for  the  sustaining  of  a 
competent  ministry,  every  member  of  it,  when  entrusted  with  the  pasto- 
ral charge  of  a  congregation  by  their  voluntary  act,  ought  to  have  secu- 
rity for  permanency  in  his  station  ;  until  removed,  after  a  fair  trial,  for 
some  error  in  religion  or  for  some  viciousness  of  life.  But  how  far  the 
winking  at  an  evil  liver,  by  those  who  are  especially  looked  to  for  the 
taking  of  measures  towards  the  removing  of  him,  tends  to  the  doing  of 
this  in  a  way,  which  might  be  beneficial  if  it  were  sure  to  light  on  un- 
worthy persons  only,  but  which  may  be  a  precedent  leaving  to  a  good 
man  no  security  for  his  reputation  ;  is  worthy  of  being  considered  by  all 
those,  who  have  at  heart  the  well-governing  of  our  communion. 

Considering  the  description  of  subjects  on  which  we  are  now  address- 
ing you,  it  would  be  an  omission,  not  to  entreat  you,  to  aid  us  in  our 
endeavours  to  carry  into  effect  the  canons  of  our  church  generally;  and 

3B 


370 

especially  the  proviaions  made  for  the  using  of  her  services  agreeably  to 
the  rubricks.  And  although  this  is  a  matter  which  belougs  more  imme- 
diately to  the  clergy ;  yet  we  tliink  it  not  unworthy  of  the  laity  to  dis^ 
countenance  deviations,  if  made  by  any  minister  in  contrariety  to  his 
solemn  promises  at  ordination.  We,  ourselves,  are  not  only  under  a 
common  weight  of  obligation  with  all  the  clergy;  but  make  an  especial 
promise  at  our  consecration,  of  "  conformity  and  obedience  to  the  doc- 
trine, discipline,  and  worship"  of  our  church.  Now  one  part  of  the  dis- 
cipline, is  the  looking  to  the  maintenance  of  order  by  others,  in  those 
three  deparlments.  We  have  been  sensibly  affected  by  some  instances 
of  the  breach  of  promises  made  to  us,  under  solemn  appeals  to  God,  and 
invocations  of  the  testimony  of  his  church.  We  should  hold  ourselves 
warting  to  our  subject,  if  we  were  not  now  to  declare  our  disappoint- 
ment, and  to  invite  to  the  irregularity  the  disapprobation  of  ail  persons, 
who  entertain  a  sense  of  the  obligations  of  integrity  and  truth.  We  do 
this  the  more  readily  ;  as  there  have  not  been  wanting  occasions,  when 
displeasure  has  been  manifested  in  the  premises  with  good  effect,  by 
judicious  lay  members  of  congregations,  on  which  the  irregularities  have 
been  obtruded. 

We  have  one  more  subject  to  bring  before  you :  and  it  is  the  propriety 
of  taking  measures,  towards  all  reasonable  security  for  the  perpetuating  of 
the  episcopacy.  It  is  well  known,  under  what  inconvenience  our  church 
laboured  from  the  want  of  it,  while  these  states  were  dependent  colonies. 
It  would  be  extremely  unpleasant,  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  having 
recourse  again,  to  the  episcopacy  of  our  mother  church.  Neither  do 
we  know  what  civil  considerations  might  interfere,  to  impede  reiterated 
recourse  of  this  description.  The  decease  of  several  of  our  Right  Re- 
verend brethren,  the  disability  of  others  of  them  from  indisposition,  and 
the  advanced  years  of  those  who  survive  and  are  in  health,  induce  the 
present  call  on  you  ;  which  is  to  increase  our  number,  so  far  as  it  can  be 
done  with  propriety,  and  particularly  with  entire  satisfaction  as  to  the 
persons  to  be  chosen.  We  wish  not  to  lessen  your  responsibility  in  this 
point.  But  that  being  supposed  to  be  resarded  by  both  you  and  us,  we 
take  the  liberty  of  holding  out  to  you  the  importance  of  the  object,  and 
to  appeal  to  your  own  sense  of  the  expediency  of  what  we  propose.  The 
attendance  of  but  two  bishops  on  this  and  at  the  last  convention,  and 
the  unavoidable  causes  prpveniing  the  attendance  of  others  of  our  Right 
Reverend  brethren,  afford  too  strong  a  proof  of  the  propriety  of  what  we 
now  suggest.  For  although  two  of  our  Reverend  brethren  have  been 
recently  chosen  to  the  episcopacy;  and  rejoicing  in  this  event,  we  intend, 
God  willing,  to  proceed  to  their  consecration  very  soon  after  the  rising 
of  this  convention;  yet  we  shall  not  consider  the  addition  of  them  to  our 
body,  as  sufficient  for  the  exigency;  or  as  affording  the  measure  of  se- 
curity, which  the  case  requires. 

Finally,  brethren,  we  assure  you  of  our  prayers,  and  invite  yours,  that 
this  and  every  other  ^measure,  designed  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
good  of  his  church,  may  be  blessed  by  him  to  that  end. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bishop' 

New  Haven,  May,  1811^ 


(NO.  III.) 


PASTORAL  LETTER 


OP   THE 


HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS, 


OF  THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMEBICA, 


AD.  1814- 


A  PASTORAL  LETTER. 

Brethren, 

IN  the  general  convention,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  the  year 
ISO*,  it  was  provided,  that  there  should  be  a  pastoral  address  from  the 
house  of  Bishops  of  this  church,  to  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  same  ;  on 
such  matters  as  might  be  thought  the  most  pertinent  to  the  state  of  the 
church  at  each  particular  period  ;  and  grounded  on  the  documents 
which,  on  every  such  occasion,  might  appear  in  the  official  reports  from 
the  various  sections  of  the  union.  In  compliance  with  this  provision,  the 
Bishops  assembled  in  general  convention  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  in  the 
year  1808,  addressed  all  orders  of  persons  within  our  communion,  on 
the  topics  of  doctrine,  worship,  discipline,  and  a  christian  life  and  con- 
versation. During  the  next  general  convention,  which  was  held  in  the 
city  of  New  Haven,  in  the  year  1811,  the  Bishops  there  and  then  as- 
sembled, issued  their  second  pastoral  letter ;  which  related  to  sundry 
particulars,  especially  interesting  to  themselves  in  their  ecclesiastical 
administrations.  Although  any  of  the  matters  discussed  on  these  occa- 
sions, might  be  now  profitably  recurred  to,  as  having  not  been  before 
exhausted  ;  yet  we  rather  feel  a  desire  to  set  before  j'ou  some  circum- 
stances in  the  state  of  our  church,  which  we  consider  as  fruitful  of  en- 
couragement; and  some  other  circumstances,  which  open  to  our  pros- 
pect an  extensive  field  of  zealous  labour;  and,  on  the  review  of  these 
two  subjects,  to  ground  some  heads  of  advice  and  exhortation,  deemed 
by  us  worthy  of  being  presented  at  (his  time  to  the  members  of  our 
church  in  general,  and  to  the  clergy  in  particular. 

One  branch  of  the  encouragement  referred  to,  is  the  visible  decline  of 
infidelity,  and  the  growing  disrepute  attaching  to  activity  in  its  cause. 
It  is  within  the  memory  of  most  of  the  present  generation,  when  that  de- 
stroyer of  human  happiness  broke  in  like  a  flood  on  civilized  society,  as 
well  in  the  new  as  in  the  old  world,  threatening  destruction  to  all  its  best 
interests ;  although  with  the  boast  of  introducing  a  new  era,  relieved 
from  prejudices  of  former  times,  and  embellished  by  improvements  not 
heard  of  before,  in  public  poHcy  and  in  private  morals.  In  this  threa- 
tened revolution,  there  was  nothing  new  in  the  line  of  argument :  so 
that  the  defenders  of  the  christian  revelation  had  need  of  no  other  than 
the  old  stores  of  answers  Jto  objections,  which  had  been  made  at  differ- 
ent times,  during  the  lapse  of  ages.  Wiatever  there  was  of  novelty  in 
the  event,  arose  from  an  extraordinary  combination  of  circumstances  in 
the  political  concerns  of  nations ;  which  produced  an  imaginary  alliance 
between  projected  improvements  in  civil  policy,  and  the  eradicating  of 
religion  under  the  name  of  superstition ;  whereb}^,  whatever  was  corrupt 
or  unreasonable  in  the  former  line,  was  supposed  to  be  upheld.  Under 
gigantic  struggles  for  the  reformation  of  political  abuses,  there  rose  into 
notice  and  into  power  a  species  of  philosophy,  which  proclaimed  war 
with  religion  generally,  and  with  Christianity  in  particular  :  and  very  ex- 
tensive were  the  ravages  which  happened  in  consequence,  in  every  line 
wherein  human  happiness,  either  temporal  or  spiritual,  is  concerned. 
The  issue  which  we  hold  out  as  a  subject  of  congratulation,  although  not 
without  painful  sensibilities  on  account  of  intermediate  mischief,  is  an 
opening  of  the  public  mind  to  the  shallowness  of  the  pretences,  by  which 


373 

10  many  have  been  deceived  and  demoralized.  It  is  more  and  more 
confessed,  that  religion  enters  essentially  into  all  the  interests  of  indivi- 
duals, of  families,  and  of  states;  and  while  some  are  induced,  on  that 
account,  to  encourage  it  with  a  view  to  public  order  and  private  morals, 
and  for  the  promoting  of  the  temporal  prosperity  of  the  social  body, 
doubtless,  a  prevailing  sentiment  to  this  etiect  must  lead  others  to  con- 
template the  important  subject,  as  it  manifests  a  bearing  on  the  interests 
which  will  remain,  when  the  [)resent  slate  of  things  shall  be  forever  at  an 
end.  For  when  we  sufier  ourselves  to  proceed  in  the  correct  reason- 
ing, which  ascends  from  what  we  observe  and  know,  to  causes  compe- 
tent to  the  producing  of  it;  we  cannot  but  perceive,  that  the  benetits 
resulting  from  the  due  exercise  of  the  religious  principle,  are  evidence 
of  its  being  given  by  the  great  author  of  nature,  for  the  government  of 
the  human  mind.  The  consequence  is  undeniable;  unless  on  the  pre- 
tence, that  in  the  contrivance  of  the  present  system,  its  order  and  its 
continuance  have  been  provided  for  by  a  salutary  deception  ;  which  yet 
has  not  been  so  ingeniously  contrived,  as  to  escape  detection  by  the 
discernment  of  those,  who  cherish  a  sentiment  so  foolish  and  so  profane. 
This  leads  us  to  remark  another  article  of  encouragement,  tending 
more  immediately  to  the  same  blessed  end.  We  mean  an  increased 
attendance  on  the  duties  of  public  worship,  and  an  increasing  desire  to 
provide  the  means  of  sustaining  and  continuing  it,  over  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  territory  of  these  slates.  While  we  ascribe  this,  partly 
to  the  detection  of  the  insidious  pretensions  of  infidelity,  we  cannot  but 
have  our  eyes  open  to  the  fact,  that  from  whatever  secondary  cause  it 
may  happen,  there  are  seasons  of  religious  sensibility,  wherein  it  is 
more  easy  than  under  ordinary  circumstances,  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  people  to  the  things  which  belong  to  their  everlasting  peace.  It  is 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  an  opportunity  of  this  description,  that  the 
remark  is  made:  and  accordingly  we  invite  all  sedous  persons  of  our 
communion,  and  especially  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  to  avail  them- 
selves of  existing  circumstances,  for  the  sowing  of  the  seed  of  gospel 
doctrine;  under  the  hope,  tliat  through  the  influences  of  the  holy  spirit 
of  God,  it  will  bear  fruit,  thirty,  sixty,  and  an  hundred  fold.  A  consi- 
derable addition  to  the  nuniber  of  our  houses  of  public  worship,  a  grow- 
ing measure  of  attendance  in  them,  an  extending  demand  for  the  Holy 
Bible,  and  for  books  on  subjects  of  christian  doctrine  tending  immedi- 
ately to  practice,  and,  we  hope  there  may  be  added  greater  liberality 
for  the  sujjply  of  the  wants  of  those  who  seclude  tliemselves  from  all  lu- 
crative employment,  that  they  may  devote  themselves  to  the  ministry; 
are  among  the  favourable  ap{)eaiances,  on  the  ground  of  which  we  in- 
dulge ourselves  in  the  prosjjects  liere  intimated.  V»e  are  aware,  how 
easily  there  may  take  place  counterfeit  revivals  of  religion,  and  how  of- 
ten it  has  hap[)ened  in  ditTerent  times  and  places,  'j'liere  are  now  al- 
luded to,  what  has  been  the  etfect  of  violent  agitations  of  the  passions, 
suddenly  excited  and  soon  subsiding.  We  neither  aim  nor  rejoice  at 
such  revivals;  perceiving  nothing  like  them  cithtM"  in  the  word  of  God, 
or  in  the  history  of  the  primitive  cliurch  ;  nor  any  thing  favouring  them 
iu  the  institutions  of  our  own.  Accordingly,  when  we  refer  to  a  grow- 
ing attention  to  religion,  we  mean  of  that  cast  which  is  agreeable  to 
truth  and  soberness,  and  congenial  with  the  known  devotions  of  our 
church.  While  we  thus  dehne  the  religious  profession  which  we  are 
desirous  of  perpetuating,  we  do  not  set  up  any  institutions  as  conceiving 
them  to  be  acceptable  to  God,  any  further  than  as  the  outward  form 


374 

may  be  eijpre&aive  of  an  inward  power.  But  w^e  do  not  aim  at  revivals 
of  religioa,  in  a  departure  from  the  principles  of  christian  worship,  which 
we  believe  to  have  descended  to  us  from  Jesus  Christ  and  his  apostles, 
through  the  channel  of  the  primitive  church  and  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land. On  this  ground,  when  we  rejoice  at  what  we  conceive  to  be  ob- 
servable within  our  communion,  of  an  increased  interest  in  religious 
enquiries  and  attention  to  religious  duties ;  we  mean  to  be  understood  as 
speaking  of  these,  within  the  bounds  which  have  been  defined. 

Having  alluded,  under  the  preceding  bead,  to  some  extravagancies 
interfering  with  the  spirit  of  the  worship  of  this  church,  which,  in  some 
districts  of  country,  wherein  there  was  the  want  of  an  inteliigent  and 
z^ealous  ministry,  have  withdrawn  many  from  her  communion ;  it  is 
with  great  satisfaction  that  we  go  on  to  remark,  as  another  cause  of 
congratulation,  a  decrease  of  the  disorder.  In  various  vicinities  of  the 
United  States,  wherein  our  communion  was  formerly  numerous  and 
respectable — for  we  speak  of  the  subject,  onl}'^  as  it  has  a  bearing  on  our 
own  religious  interests — there  has  been  a  visible  decline  of  the  ef- 
fects of  a  species  of  zeal,  covering  itself  with  the  character  of  our 
church,  although  not  in  harmony  with  her  institutions,  and  no  longer 
continuing  to  wear  her  name,  than  until  circumstances  sustained  it  in 
secession,  and  often  in  undisguised  hostility.  We  are  not  at  a  loss,  to 
discover  some  of  the  causes  of  this  inroad,  existing  within  ourselves.— 
And  although  we  plead,  that  it  was  partly  owing  to  a  cessation  of  public 
ministry,  in  consequence  of  events  brought  about  by  the  providence  of 
God  ;  yet,  if  any  should  lay  a  share  of  the  blame  on  the  want  of  godly 
and  rational  zeal,  or  a  holy  life  and  conversation  in  some  of  our  clergy, 
we  wish  to  humble  ourselves  under  the  charge,  and  to  call  on  all  our 
brethren  of  the  clergy  to  do  the  same,  as  a  body,  in  proportion  as  it 
may  be  just ;  and  each  individual  on  his  own  account,  who  may  be  con- 
sci(uis  of  having  given  occasion,  in  any  degree,  to  the  resulting  evil. 

\\'hatcver  may  have  been  the  cause  of  it,  we  are  persuaded  of  the 
fact,  that  it  is  on  the  decline.  We  know  that  there  are  many,  who  feel 
the  lo3s  of  the  substantial  nourishment  of  doi  trine  which  they  had  aban- 
doned ;  and  who  testify,  that  they  have  not  found  in  other  quarters  the 
gatisfaction  which  they  had  expected.  We  anticipate  the  growth  of  the 
sentiment;  in  proportion  as,  under  the  divine  blessing,  we  can  send 
qualified  and  faithful  labourers  into  the  vineyard.  We  deplore,  as  a  les- 
sening of  the  prospect  of  this,  every  instance  in  which  there  may  have 
intruded  into  our  ministry,  any  person  destitute  of  zeal  for  the  work  ;  or 
any  one,  who  may  have  adopted  the  scheme  of  checking  extravagancies 
extraneous  to  our  communion,  by  introducing  the  like  to  them  within 
her  pale :  conduct  which  we  expect  to  see  checked,  by  its  being  found 
to  be  an  expedient  for  the  obtaining  of  popularity,  not  commonly  at- 
tended by  permanent  success,  and  always  contrary  to  a  good  conscience. 
While  we  invite  our  whole  communion,  to  rejoice  with  us  in  the  sour- 
ces of  satisfaction  which  have  been  disclosed  ;  the  use  to  which  we  de- 
sire to  apply  the  consideration  of  them,  is  an  increase  of  gospel  zeal  and 
labour,  by  providing  in  all  places  the  means  of  grace,  where  they  arc 
wanting  or  imperfectly  enjoyed;  and  by  exciting  in  the  imperfect  sense 
in  whicbsuch  an  object  can  be  said  to  be  accomplished  by  human  mea- 
sures, the  spirit  of  religion  ;  in  the  exercises  of  a  rational  piety,  and  in  a 
suitable  life  and  conversation.  In  our  endeavours  for  the  accomplish- 
ing of  this,  there  opens  to  our  view  a  very  extensive  field,  wherein  we 
cansider  the  following  particulars  as  especially  worthy  of  observation. 


375 

Within  thes€  few  years,  and  within  the  bounda  of  this  combined  com-' 
monwealtb,  there  have  risen  into  existence  sovereign  states,  with  a  nu- 
merous and  increasing  population,  but  without  a  proportionate  provision 
for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel ;  and  this  perhaps  tiie  most  of  all,  in  regard 
to  those  of  the  inhabitants  wlio  profess  our  principles  in  doctrine,  wor- 
ship  and  discipline.  The  condition  of  our  professing  members  within 
those  states,  has  been  a  subject  of  our  most  serious  concern :  and  the 
pressure  of  the  exigency  seems  to  be  in  a  great  measure  owing  to  the 
want  of  exertion,  for  the  concentering  of  the  means  within  the  power  of 
the  persons  principally  concerned.  Among  the  expedients  which  have 
been  proposed  for  the  beUering  of  our  prospects  in  the  western  states, 
there  has  been  that  of  extending  the  episcopacy  to  those  regions.  At 
the  time  of  the  last  general  convention,  this  came  with  all  the  weight 
of  its  importance,  under  the  consideration  of  the  only  two  bishops  then 
assembled.  They  expressed  their  wishes  to  the  cflect,  and  gave  a  be- 
ginning to  measures,  of  which  it  was  hoped,  and  is  still  hoped,  that  they 
will  issue  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  design :  although,  besides  the 
general  difl&culty  of  the  object,  it  has  been  hindered  by  events  not  then 
foreseen. 

As  there  are  thus  whole  states  recently  risen,  without  any  or  with 
Tery  Uttle  provision  for  the  support  of  our  religious  profession  ;  so  in  the 
older  states,  there  are  large  districts  equally  destitute;  and  containiug 
members  of  our  communion,  who  are  as  much  cut  off  from  all  inter- 
course with  us,  as  if  they  lived  in  the  other  hemisphere.     In  the  former 
emigrations  from  Europe  into  this  new  world,  there  seems  to  have  been 
a  circumstance  in  the  condition  of  those  of  our  communion,  which  dis- 
tinguished them  in  many  instances  from  other  emigrants,  and  eventually 
added  much  to  that  scattered  population  of  the  former,  which  we  are 
here  pointing  out  as  the  cause  of  a  difficulty  meeting  us,  in  our  exertions 
for  the  sustaining  of  the  existence  of  our  communion.     It  was  not  un- 
common, for  a  body  of  settlers  to  be  bound  closely  together,  either  by 
a  foreign  language,  or  by  some  peculiarity  of  religious  opinion,  labour- 
ing under  discouragement  in  the  land  of  their  nativity.     To  such  per- 
sons it  was  an  obvious  dictate  of  prudence,  to  form  compact  settlements 
in  the  land  chosen  by  them,  to  be  in  future  the  country  of  themselves 
and  their  posterity.     The  case  was  otherwise,  with  the  emigrants  of  the 
church  of  England;  who,  being  without  such  especial  ties,  were  the  ea- 
sier induced  to  make  their  settlements,  according  to  each  family's  sepa- 
rate interest  and  convenience.     As  a  counterbalance  to  this,  so  far  as 
their  religious  profession  was  concerred,  it  was  natural  to  look  for  en- 
couragement to  the  church  in  the  parent  country.     This  was  indeed  ex- 
tended to  them,  until  the  change  of  the  relative  situation  of  the  countries 
in  civil  matters,  produced  such  a  severance  of  them  in  rehgious  disci- 
pline, as  rendered  pecuniary  aid  either  impracticable  or  inexpedient. 
The  fact  above  stated,  is  at  least  one  of  the  causes  of  the  dispersed  settle- 
ments of  the  members  of  our  communion,  in  districts  wherein  the  mass 
of  population  has  risen  uuder  the  influence  of  principles,  and  in  some 
instances  of  languages,  different  from  ours.     From  members  of  oui 
communion  of  this  description,  there  continually  reach  our  ears  some 
such  incitement  as  that  heard  by  St.  Paul  in  a  vision,  from  the  men  of 
Macedonia — "  Come  and  help  us."     While  our  means  in  their  behalf 
are  Hmited,  we  cannot  excuse  ourselves  from  presenting  them  to  the 
members  of  our  church  in  general,  as  fit  objects  of  gospel  care  and  labor- 
Even  in  our  settled  congregations — some  of  them  of  long  standing— 


o<o 

there  occa^ionaJiy  occurs  so  much  indifference  to  the  sustaining  of  even 
the  profession  oi  reUgion,  and  the  making  of  provision  for  the  adminis- 
tration of  its  ordinances,  as  that  while  their  neglect  renders  them  subjects 
of  censure,  it  ought  also  to  be  an  excitement  of  our  zeal.  Even  in  such 
congregations,  there  are  always  at  least  a  few  persons,  who  are  ready  to 
"  strengthen  the  things  that  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die."  And  even 
if  there  were  none  such,  those  of  the  contrary  stamp  are  not  out  of  the 
reach  of  that  voice  of  the  gospel,  which  is  raised,  "  not  to  call  the  righ- 
teous but  sinners  to  repentance."  We  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing, 
that  the  call  has  been  made  with  great  effect,  even  in  congregations  of 
the  description  which  has  been  stated.  And  this,  we  hope,  will  serve  as 
encouragement  to  those  who  are  ready  to  do  their  part  of  the  work  of 
God,  leaving  the  issue  of  their  labour  to  the  influences  of  his  Holy 
Spirit. 

It  ought  further  to  be  taken  into  view,  that  even  in  neighbourhoods 
wherein  provision  is  made  for  the  exercise  of  the  ministry,  and  congre- 
gations are  duly  organized,  according  to  tht  venerable  institutions  of  the 
church  ;  there  are  powerful  incitements  to  zeal  and  labour,  that  we  may 
call  sinners  to  repentance  ;  that  we  may  direct  th«  attention  of  professors 
beyond  the  forms,  to  the  power  of  godliness ;  that  we  may  guard  the 
imperfectly  informed,  against  the  errors  engrafted  by  the  weakness  of 
men  on  the  holy  stock  of  christian  doctrine ;  that  we  may  open  all  the 
branches  of  this  in  their  integrity,  as  found  in  the  word  of  truth;  and 
that  we  may  urge  persons  of  all  descriptions,  to  the  attainment  and  the 
practice  of  whatever  may  contribute  to  the  adorning  of  the  doctrine  of 
our  God  and  Saviour.  It  is  not  here  forgotten,  that  for  the  accomplish- 
ing of  these  blessed  ends,  "although  Paul  plant  and  Apollos  water,"  it 
13  "God  alone  who  giveth  the  increase."  But  he  sees  fit,  as  well  in  the 
Lifluences  of  his  grace  as  in  the  dealings  of  his  providence,  to  produce 
his  high  ends  by  the  instrumentality  of  human  means.  And  in  each  of 
these  tiepartments,  the  duties  of  all  of  !is  are  discernible,  from  the  rela- 
tions and  from  the  circumstances  in  which  we  severally  stand. 

While  we  thus  hold  out  to  all  the  members  of  our  communion,  the 
^>r.pel  work  which  we  conceive  to  be  laid  on  them  by  the  divine  author 
of  our  religion  ;  we  are  not  backward  to  extend  their  attention  to  some 
articles  of  advice  and  exhortation,  which  we  think  especially  worthy  of 
liotice,  for  the  accomplishing  of  the  ends  which  we  have  in  view. 

The  first,  and  as  essential  to  all  the  rest,  is  mutual  incitement  to  the 
work;  and  this,  in  the  christian  spirit,  which  alone  can  either  render  it  an 
object  worthy  of  considerable  exertion,  or  claim  the  promise  of  divine 
support.  We  read  in  one  of  the  prophets,  that  when  a  general  refor- 
mation was  in  prospect,  "  they  who  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to 
another,"  it  being  evidently  meant  in  mutual  incitement,  to  the  object 
of  their  common  concern.  The  religion  of  the  scriptures,  is  eminently 
social:  And  whatever  relates  to  the  visible  profession  of  it,  must  be 
effected  by  joint  exertions.  Yet  we  mean  not  by  this,  that  any  con- 
currence is  solicited,  without  a  sense  of  religion  on  the  consciences,  and 
real  piety  in  the  affections  of  the  agents.  For  we  are  free  to  declare  our 
opinion,  that  the  encouraging  of  active  endeavours,  prompted  by  any 
other  motives  than  a  religious  state  of  mind,  is  that  building  with  unlem- 
pered  mortar,  to  which  there  is  not  likely  to  be  attached  duration — much 
less  usefulness  and  beauty. 

We  consider  as  a  necessary  expedient  for  the  perpetuating  and  for  the 
increasing  of  our  church,  that  reasonable  provision  be  made  for  the  mi- 


377 

jiisters,  in  proportion  to  the  means  of  the  people  in  their  respective  pa- 
rishes. There  is  not  here  forgotten  the  delicacy  of  the  subject,  nor  the 
misconstruction  liable  to  be  put  on  whatever  is  said  concerning  it, 
coming  from  men  who  are  themselves  of  the  body  to  which  the  discourse 
applies.  But  while  this  is  a  consideration,  prescribing  the  limits  of  mo- 
deration on  our  zeal  for  the  matter  recommended,  it  does  not  cause  us 
to  be  silent  on  what  we  perceive  to  be  a  dictate  of  religious  obligation. 
Were  we  restrained  by  a  mistaken  delicacy,  from  the  delivery  of  our 
sentiments,  we  should  find  ourselves  reproved  by  that  of  St.  Paul  to  the 
Galatians — "  Be  not  deceived,  God  is  not  mocked ;  for  whatsoever  a  man 
soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap :"  words,  which  the  connexion  shews  to 
apply  to  the  wants  of  those  who  labour  in  the  gospel.  There  can  be  no 
argument,  adduced  to  prove  the  divine  institution  of  the  ministry,  which 
does  not  also  prove,  that  ministers,  received  on  the  choice  of  the  people, 
and  for  their  service,  renouncing  all  secular  means  of  maintenance,  ought, 
on  the  most  obvious  principles  of  justice,  to  be  furnished  with  whatever 
is  essential  to  their  sustenance  and  their  comfort.  While  there  is,  in 
theory,  a  general  conviction  of  this  pervading  our  communion;  and 
while  the  princi()le  is  acted  on,  in  some  places,  to  a  reasonable  extent; 
there  are  others,  wherein  there  has  been  lamentable  deficiency,  in  the 
discharge  of  pecuniary  engagements.  This  is  a  hardship  which  affects 
our  own  characters,  in  a  point  of  great  delicacy  and  difficulty.  For  being 
pressed  from  various  vicinities  within  our  respective  dioceses,  for  the 
supplying  of  a  resident  ministry ;  in  addition  to  the  distress  which  we 
generally  feel  on  account  of  the  want  of  opportunities  of  meeting  the 
demand,  there  is  often  the  additional  embarrassment,  when  opportuni- 
ties occur,  that  we  may  be  the  authors  both  of  loss  and  of  vexation  to 
worthy  men,  by  encouraging  them  to  trust  to  promises  which  will  not  be 
fulfilled. 

The  comparatively  small  number  of  our  clergy,  induces  us  to  recom- 
mend to  destitute  congregations,  especially  to  those  whose  number  is 
such  as  renders  the  speedy  settlement  of  an  ordained  minister  improba- 
ble, to  avail  themselves  of  the  services  of  a  lay  reader ;  where  such  a 
person,  respectable  in  character,  and  sufficient  in  other  respects,  takes 
so  much  interest  in  religion,  as  to  be  willing  to  read  on  Sundays  those 
parts  of  the  liturgy,  which  are  not  appropriate  to  ordained  ministers,  and 
such  printed  discourses  as  may  be  judged  to  be  adapted  to  the  under- 
standings and  the  circumstances  of  fhe  people.  It  will  be  no  difficult 
matter,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  proper  ecclesiastical  authority, 
to  select  such  discourses  from  the  many  able  works  of  divines,  which 
have  been  given  to  the  public  from  the  press.  We  hold  this  to  be  a 
laudable  effort  of  christian  zeal.  Nevertheless,  as  like  every  other 
expedient  of  the  same  description,  it  is  liable  to  abuse ;  we  would  hold 
up  to  view  the  provisions  of  the  191h  canon,  in  regard  to  the  selection 
of  the  sermons  to  be  read.  Neither  will  it  be  foreign  to  the  purpose,  to 
allude  to  what  the  same  canon  provides,  when,  in  relation  to  readers 
having  a  view  to  the  ministry,  it  forbids  not  only  the  use  of  such  parts  of 
the  service  as  are  appropriate  to  it,  but  also  some  matters  of  little  impor- 
tance in  themselves ;  yet  tending  to  mislead  the  world,  as  to  the  claims 
of  the  agents  to  an  official  character,  which  is  not  yet,  and  perhaps  may 
not  hereafter  be  conferred. 

Another  mean  to  be  recommended,  is  encouragement  and  pecuniary 
aid,  where  necessary  and  practicable,  to  young  men  of  known  piety  and 
virtue,  and  of  promising  qualifications  in  other  respect-s,  in  their  preparing 

3C 


378 

of  themselves  for  the  ministry.  An  apostle  has  said,  "  How  shall  they 
hear  without  a  preacher  ?  and  how  shall  they  preach  except  they  be 
sent?"  What  was  the  nature  of  the  sending  contemplated  by  him,  is 
sufficiently  evident  in  the  plan  on  which,  in  person,  he  sent  labourers 
into  the  vineyard.  And  if  it  was  comprehended  in  the  counsels  of 
divine  wisdom,  to  extend  Christianity  to  heathen  countries,  through  the 
medium  of  a  preached  gospel ;  the  same  must  be  the  mean  of  its  con- 
tinuance, in  the  countries  in  which  it  has  been  heretofore  received.  If 
so,  pious  motions  to  such  a  ministry,  ought  to  be  a  motive  to  the  ex- 
tending of  aid  for  the  supply  of  the  necessary  acquirements,  in  a  church 
which  entertains  the  opinion,  and  contends  for  it  as  of  vast  importance 
to  the  cause  of  Christianity  in  general,  that  her  ministers  should  be  fur- 
nished with  all  those  branches  of  literature,  which  are  necessarj'^  to  the 
sustaining  of  the  truth  of  Scripture  against  the  assaults  of  infidelity,  and 
the  errors  of  mistaken  professors  of  Christianity.  Besides  pecuniary 
aid,  there  is  another  species  of  it  to  which  we  invite.  It  is  to  be  expect- 
ed from  the  clergy  in  particular,  and  consists  in  assisting  students  in 
their  progress,  by  suitable  instruction  and  advice.  It  is  with  pleasure 
we  add,  that  this  benevolence  has  been  extended  in  some  instances,  to 
the  great  profit  of  the  church ;  which  we  mention  under  the  hope,  that 
there  will  be  an  increase  in  the  opportunities  of  the  benefit,  and  in  ability 
and  readiness  for  the  extension  of  it. 

But  while  we  would  thus  expedite  the  means  of  accession  to  the 
ministry  ;  we  would  be  far  from  pressing  the  subject  in  such  a  manner, 
as  may  incite  to  the  forwarding  of  the  expectations  of  any  persons,  con- 
cerning whom  it  may  afterwards  appear,  that  due  attention  would  have 
shewn  them  to  be  very  unlikely  to  be  either  useful  or  respectable.  Our 
stations  have  familiarized  us  to  two  great  dangers,  on  the  present  sub- 
ject. One  is,  that  the  desire  of  being  engaged  in  the  sacred  function 
occupies  some  persons,  concerning  whom  there  are  manifest  evidences 
on  the  one  hand  of  sincere  piety,  and  on  the  other  of  such  imbecility,  as 
will  hot  suffer  us  to  believe,  that  they  are  within  the  meaning  of  that 
qualification  of  our  ordination  service,  "  the  being  called  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  this  office  and  ministry."  The  other  case,  is  that  of  persons 
who  fancy  the  clerical  profession ;  sometimes  from  vanity  in  the  dis- 
play of  talents  real  or  imaginary,  while  their  characters  and  their  con- 
versation may  shew,  that  they  have  not  an  adequate  apprehension,  either 
of  the  contemplated  character,  or  of  the  temper  of  mind  with  which  it 
should  be  engaged  in.  However  sensible  of  the  disadvantage  of  the 
paucity  of  our  clergj^,  we  do  not  wish  to  add  to  their  number,  by  either 
of  these  descriptions  of  persons.  On  the  contrary,  we  consider  the  dis- 
couraging of  them  as  a  meritorious  act,  in  any  members  of  our  church 
who  have  opportunities  to  that  effect. 

-  Increased  exertion  for  the  builditig  of  churches,  and  to  keep  in  de- 
scent order  those  heretofore  erected,  is  another  matter  to  be  recom- 
mended. In  a  country  so  much  advancing  as  ours  in  population,  it  is 
evident,  that  a  very  great  proportion  of  the  people  must  be  without  the 
benefit  of  social  worship;  unless  there  be  a  proportionate  addition  of 
houses,  in  which  it  is  to  be  offered.  We  appeal  to  it  as  an  incontrover- 
tible fact,  that  in  general,  of  the  mass  of  societ}'^,  in  the  portion  of  it  who 
become  lost  to  this  great  mean  of  \vhatever  is  estimable  in  every  depart- 
ment of  social  life,  there  ensues  manifest  evidence  of  depravity  in  their 
conversation  and  in  their  manners.  Here  is  a  canker  in  the  body,  which 
cannot  fail  to  spread;  unless  it  be  subdued  by  active  efforts,  for  the 


379 

putting  of  the  means  of  public  worship  within  the.  power  of  all.  In  this 
debt  to  the  public  welfare,  have  not  we  a  share  ?  Have  we  not  also  a  like 
debt,  to  the  church  of  which  we  call  ourselves  members  ?  Certain  it  is, 
that  very  many  have  left  the  membership  of  it,  because  they  and  their 
families  could  not  enjoy  the  means  of  grace  within  its  pale.  It  is  not 
improbable,  that  from  the  same  cause,  many  have  been  lost  to  the 
christian  profession,  in  whatever  shape.  The  keeping  of  churches 
in  decent  repair,  is  so  manifest  a  dictate  of  propriety  ;  that  we  should 
not  have  mentioned  it,  were  not  the  fact  known  to  us,  that  in  some 
places,  there  is  delinquency  in  this  matter,  to  the  dishonour  of  those 
to  whom  it  is  to  be  ascribed:  since  in  the  vicinity  of  such  neglect,  there 
is  scarcely  a  passing  stranger,  who  can  forbear  to  remark  severely  on 
the  indifference  or  the  parsimony  which  are  the  causes  of  it. 

While  the  subject  now  before  us  is  contemplated  as  leading  to  ex- 
pense, we  wish  to  detine  the  limits  of  it.  There  is  reason  to  believe, 
that  in  some  instances,  there  has  been  discouragement  of  the  de- 
sign of  erecting  a  house  of  worship  to  Almighty  God,  because  the 
agents  in  it  could  not  compass  the  means  of  gratifying  a  taste  for  mag- 
nificence and  expensive  ornament.  We  do  not  think  with  those,  who 
would  interdict  the  fine  arts  from  this  department.  On  the  contrary, 
we  are  of  opinion,  that  where  wealth  abounds,  and  where  it  can  be  be- 
stowed on  this  object,  without  interfering  with  any  other  more  imperious; 
and  while  it  carries  with  it  the  incidental  benefit,  of  giving  employment 
to  industrious  tradesmen  and  subsistence  to  their  families ;  it  may  be 
not  only  innocently,  but  even  laudably  thus  bestowed.  But  under  the 
insufficiency  for  the  erecting  of  splendid  churches,  we  consider  the  af- 
fecting of  them  as  evidence  of  too  weak  an  influence  of  the  principle, 
which  should  govern  in  accomplishing  such  objects  ;  and  Ave  know  that 
it  has  had  a  mischievous  tendency,  in  the  frustrating  of  some  efforts  and 
in  ihe  discouraging  of  others. 

Associations,  in  those  vicinities  wherein  the  number  and  the  ability  of 
our  people  are  competent  to  the  sending  of  occasional  aid  to  our  more 
scattered  and  less  wealthy  population,  we  hold  to  be  a  judicious  mean 
of  building  up  our  church  ;  and  not  unreasonably  claimed  of  any  mem- 
bers of  that  mystical  body,  concerning  which  we  are  taught,  that  if  one 
member  suffer,  all  the  members  should  suffer  with  it.  The  expedient 
recommended  has  been  adopted  in  some  states,  and  has  already  produ- 
ced such  fruits,  as  encourage  us  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  an  object  emi- 
nently worthy  of  christian  care  and  exertion. 

Another  article  of  our  recommendation,  is  the  distribution  of  bibles, 
of  the  books  of  common  prayer,  and  of  a  few  tracts  on  the  principal 
articles  of  christian  faith,  as  held  by  our  church.  The  benefit  of  such  a 
measure  may  be  contemplated,  as  it  respects  places  where  no  provision 
exists  for  divine  worship,  and  others  where  this  benefit  is  enjoyed.  As 
to  the  former,  without  disparaging  the  divinely  instituted  ministry,  we 
may  be  assured,  that  even  where  Providence  has  not  bestowed  tliis 
mean  of  grace,  the  gospel,  tkrived  immediately  from  the  sacred  re- 
cords, will  often  be  found  "  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation."  In  the 
latter  instance,  there  will  always  be  a  proportion  of  the  people,  whose 
indigent  circumstances  call  for  pecuniary  aid  in  a  variety  of  ways ;  and 
surely,  among  the  means  of  their  relief,  no  call  can  be  more  pressing, 
than  that  which  invites  to  the  reaching  out  to  them  of  the  bread  of 
life. 


580 

While  we  are  on  this  part  of  the  subject,  we  avail  ourselves  of  the 
opportunity  of  congratulating  all  the  members  of  our  church,  on  what 
we  conceive  to  be  eminently  a  cause  of  joy  to  the  christian  world  in 
general — the  wonderful  efforts  which  have  been  made  within  these  few 
years,  being  begun  principally  by  members  of  the  parent  church,  by  a 
body  known  under  the  name  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
imitated  in  a  arious  countries  of  the  old  world,  and  concurred  in  with 
alacrity  and  zeal  throughout  the  extent  of  the  American  union — to  dis- 
perse the  Bible  in  regions  wherein  it  has  been  hitherto  unknown ;  and, 
in  those  wherein  the  religion  of  it  is  professed,  to  provide  that  none  shall 
have  reason  to  complain,  of  their  being  necessarily  destitute  of  this  in- 
structor, this  guide,  and  this  source  of  the  highest  consolations.  We 
should  conceive  of  ourselves  as  wanting  on  this  occasion  to  the  high  duties 
of  our  stations,  were  we  to  neglect  to  bear  our  testimony  in  favour  of 
this  energetic  eifort,  for  the  disappointment  of  the  wicked  designs  of 
infidelity,  for  the  extending  of  the  influence  of  pure  and  undefiled  reli- 
gion, and  finally,  for  the  carrying  into  efleet  of  those  gracious  promises 
of  heaven,  which  will  not  have  been  accomplished,  until  "  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

When  we  recommended  exertions  for  the  more  general  diffusion 
of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer;  it  was  not  from  the  presumptuous 
sentiment  of  ranking  any  compositions  of  mere  men,  with  what  was  in- 
dited under  the  immediate  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  it  was  on  this 
double  ground  ;  first,  that  as  the  order  of  our  service  requiring  the  au- 
dible voices  of  the  people  in  the  act  of  worship,  there  is  peculiar  pro- 
priety in  providing,  that  no  portion  of  any  congregation  shall  be  neces- 
sarily debarred  from  bearing  their  share,  in  what  we  deem  essential  to 
"the  worshipping  in  the  beauty  of  holiness:"  and  principally,  because, 
as  John  the  Baptist  taught  his  disciples  how  to  pray;  and  as  a  greater 
than  he  gave  similar  instruction,  in  an  admirable  form  left  on  record  in 
the  gospel ;  in  like  manner  it  is  expedient,  that  the  public  wisdom  of 
the  church  should  furnish  her  members  with  a  body  of  devotions,  held 
to  be  agreeable  to  the  direction  of  St.  Paul,  of  "  worshipping  with  the 
understanding;"  and  yet  not  inconsistent  with  that  higher  principle  of 
liis  and  our  master,  of"  worshipping  in  spirit  and  in  truth."  And  al- 
though we  do  not  doubt,  that  the  religious  discipline  of  the  heart,  in 
whatever  language  it  may  be  clothed,  rises  an  acceptable  incense  to  the 
throne  of  a  gracious  and  common  father ;  yet,  while  we  contend  that 
public  devotions  should  be  such,  as  the  most  intelligent  and  cultivated 
understandings  must  approve  of;  we  conceive  that  a  body  of  public  de- 
votions, so  framed,  must  have  an  influence  on  the  retired  exercises  of 
individuals ;  so  as  to  prevent  their  either  sinking  into  indifference,  or 
running  into  the  excesses  of  enthusiasm. 

In  the  mention  of  small  tracts,  there  were  understood  those  which 
give  correct  views  of  any  of  the  doctrines,  or  any  of  the  duties,  applj^- 
ing  to  all  descriptions  of  persons ;  and  which  it  is  especially  desirable  to 
accommodate  to  those  in  the  less  informed  departments  of  society.  We 
know,  that  similar  attempts  to  what  is  now  recommended,  have  had  a 
powerful  influence  in  propagating  opinions,  which  we  believe  to  be  not 
agreeable  to  gospel  verity  :  and  this  itself  is  a  sufficient  call  to  a  coun- 
terbalance of  the  evil,  in  the  proper  use  of  an  engine  so  liable  to  be  mis- 
applied. We  have  had  ample  proof  of  what  may  be  accomplished  in 
this  very  line,  by  the  success  therein  of  a  society  in  the  parent  church, 
known  for  above  a  century,  and  lately  acting  with  a  vast  increase  of  en 


381 

ergy,  under  the  name  of  "  The  Society  for  the  promoting  of  Christian 
Knowledge :"  which  venerable  body  we  cannot  take  notice  of  on  this 
occasion,  without  recommending  the  tracts  pubHshed  by  them,  as  a  store- 
house from  which  there  may  be  drawn  the  rehgious  armour,  competent 
to  the  end  within  our  view. 

We  have  touched,  although  slightly,  the  various  topics  contemplated 
by  us  in  the  beginning  of  this  address.  It  must  have  been  visible  of  the 
mass  of  the  remarks  comprehended  in  it,  that  they  apply  alike  to  the 
clergy  and  to  the  lay  members  of  this  church.  But  we  ought  not  to 
conclude  without  an  especial  call  on  the  former,  to  be  active  in  the  pa- 
tronizing and  in  the  executing  of  designs,  for  the  extending  of  the  influ- 
ence of  religion ;  agreeably  to  the  principles,  on  which  alone  there  can 
be  any  acting  to  that  effect,  within  the  bounds  of  our  communion.  In  a 
church  existing  in  countries  not  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
these  United  States,  it  must  in  general  happen,  that  the  objects  of  tiie 
concern  of  a  clergyman  are  within  the  bounds  of  the  parish  of  which  he 
is  the  pastor.  Our  case  is  different;  and  will  continue  so,  while  there 
shall  apply  to  so  many  members  of  our  communion,  that  they  are 
"  scattered  abroad,  as  sheep  which  have  no  shepherd,"  It  would  be  a 
mistaken  remedy  of  the  evil,  to  seal  up  sourcesof  instruction  now  open, 
in  the  uncertain  search  of  opportunities  of  usefulness,  where  they  are 
wanting.  Yet  it  is  possible,  and  this  is  what  we  recommend,  for  any 
minister,  within  the  limits  of  his  especial  duties,  and  without  injury  to 
any  of  them,  to  favour  and  to  promote  designs,  by  a  zeal  which  ex- 
tends beyond  his  more  immediate  sphere.  Even  where  the  efforts  of 
the  several  individuals  may  be  small ;  yet,  combined,  they  will  proba- 
bly have  an  effect  which  shall  be  extensively,  deeply,  and  permanently 
felt. 

The  lay  members  of  our  communion  we  exhort,  in  reference  to  and 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  objects  which  have  been  laid  before 
them,  to  aid  the  clergy  in  their  measures ;  or  to  propose  and  pursue 
measures  themselves,  to  the  effect.  We  disclaim  sectarian  zeal,  in  eve- 
ry matter  which  we  propose  for  the  increase  of  our  church.  We  profess 
to  aim  herein  at  the  doing  of  our  part,  for  the  advancement  of  Christian- 
ity ;  a  work,  of  which  no  share  can  be  undertaken  by  us,  except  on  the 
ground  of  Ihe  doctrine,  the  worship,  and  the  discipline,  which  we  be- 
lieve to  be  the  most  agreeable  to  tlie  scriptures,  and  to  the  practice  of 
the  primitive  ages  of  the  church.  Under  the  influence  of  this  sentiment, 
we  invite  all  descriptions  of  persons  contemplated  in  the  present  ad- 
dress, to  aid  us  in  sustaining  and  extending  a  church,  "  built  on  the 
foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the 
chief  corner  stone  :"  not  frirgetting,  that  in  all  endeavours  to  this  effect, 
an  essential  expedient,  and  without  which  we  are  not  likely  to  be  favour- 
ed with  the  divine  blessing,  is  the  "adorning  of  the  doctrine  of  our  God 
and  Saviour  in  al!  things." 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops, 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  Presiding  Bisliop. 

Philadelphia,  May  23,  181 4. 


riNis, 


CONTENTS. 


Journal  of  the  Convention  of  1785.            ...            -             -  1 

Do.    of  the  1st  Convention  of  1786,            -            -            -            .  -      17 

Do.     ofthe2cl            do.        of    do.        -            -            -            -          -  30 

Do.     of  the  1st            do.         of  1789.            -             -             -             .  -      45 
Do,    of  the  2d            do.        of    do.        -            -            -            -            .69 

Do,    of  the  Convention  of  1792.        -            .            .            .            -  111 
Do,    of            do.           of  1795.            -            -            -            -            .135 

•Do.    of            do.           of  1799.        .....  160 

Do.    of            do.           of  1801.            .....  192 

Do.    of            do.           of  1804.        .....  21" 

Do.     of            do,           of  1808.              -            -                         -            .  244 

Do.    of            do.           of  1811. 266 

Do.    of            do.           of  1814.           .....  288 

Constitution  of  tlieChui-ch.              ......  327 

Canons  of  1808,              .......  339 

Canon  of  1811.         ........  344 

Canons  of  1814.              .-..-..  344 

Prajer  at  the  meetings  of  Convention.         -             .             -             .             .  345 

Course  of  Ecclesiastical  Studies.             .             -             .             -             .       '  345 

Pastoral  Letter,  1.  (from  Baltimore.)           .....  351 

Do.              II.  (from  New  Haven.)               ....  365 

Do.            m.  (from  Philadelphia.) 371 


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